29.01.2010

Padubelle, 30 January 2010: The dining facility to the pilgrims at the Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kunjarugiri was inaugurated by the pontiff of the Shri Adhamaru Mutt, Udupi, Shri Vishwapriya Theertha on Friday, 29th January 2010 at 10am. The devotees and pilgrims would be able to take the food offered by the temple authorities in this facility that was constructed aat the cost of one crore ten lakhs of rupees.

The inaugural function was attended by eminent guests. The Home Minister of Karnataka, Dr. V.S. Acharya was the chief guest at the function. Other guests of honour included: Mr. Suresh shetty-Health Minister in the Government of Maharashtra, Mr. Lalaji R. Mendon-MLA of the Kaup Constittuency who also presided over the inaugural function, Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda-MP, Mr. Gopal Shetty and Mr. Krishna Hegde-Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Mr. Gopla Bhandary-MLA from Karkala, Mr. Raghupathi Bhat-MLA from Udupi, Mr. Mahesh Shetty-President of the Kurkal Grama Panchayat, Mr. Vira Shankar Shetty-Honorary President of Bunts Sangha, Mumbai and Mr. Venkateshwara Muchintaya-Executive President of the Renovation Committee. The inaugural programme was opened with prayer by Shri Gopal Bhat-the priest of the Kunjarugiri Temple. Mr. Venkateshwara Muchintaya welcomed the guests and the gathering, Mr. Devdas Hebbar made the introductory remarks and the pontiff of the Shri Adhamaru Mutt lighted the lamp and declared the tower at the entrance of the dining building and the dining facility opened.

The donors who contributed to the construction of the dining facility were honoured by the pontiff of the Adhamaru Mutt by presenting them shawls. In his speech, Dr. V.S. Acharya said that as the Kunjarugiri Hills occupy the strategic location and a panoramic view of the beauty of surrounding nature can be had from the top of the hill, it can be developed as a tourist centre along with the traditional religious place of pilgrimage. (Photo1: Janardan Kodavoor, Photo2+Report: Bellevision, more photos in Daijiworld

Religious places to have own security measures

Press meet 27.01.2010

Udupi: Saga of development - model for rest of the country!

Udupi Jan 27: 'As many as 112 culverts and vented dams will be built at a cost of Rs 234.16 lakh in the Naxal prone areas of the district under Western Ghats Development programme,' informed Home Minister Dr V S Acharya.

Addressing the gathering after receiving the guard of honour at the 61st Republic Day celebrations here on Tuesday at Ajjarkadu District Stadium, he rejoiced that Udupi district is on top of the Human development Index of the districts in the State. Acharya informed that the District complex built at a cost of Rs 23 crore will be thrown open to public services by the end of the year.

Roads The State Highways are taken up for widening process and the renovation is done at a cost of Rs 290 lakh. PWD is expected to repair all the potholes and channels of 7 State Highways and 84 main stretches of the district by the end of January. The NH-17 stretch extending from Tallur to Padubidre is being repaired. Rs 200 lakh is earmarked for the purpose. About 104 construction works concerning the repair works of the entire main roads of the district along with up gradation of the State Highways will be over by the end of March. Rs 8 crore is earmarked for the widening process of Amabagilu-Kalsanka stretch, the minister said.

Rs 107 lakh has been invested on a ‘Yatri Nivas’ in Karkala to give a boost to the tourism activities. The indoor stadium at Ajjarkadu is ready for the players at a cost of Rs 255.72 lakhs. As many as 291 rural drinking water programmes have been completed at a cost of Rs 3.47 crore under Rural Development Programme. A taskforce have been set up to check out the feasibility of a airport in the district. The coal based Udupi Power Corporation thermal power plant at Nandikur will generate about 600 MW power by March-April. The Mannupalla in Manipal is being renovated at the cost of Rs 3.8 crore, he added.

Acharya said that the Rural Residence Programme and programme to eradicate the poverty in rural areas is being introduced. About 106 Gram Panchayats in the district have been honoured under Sampoorn Swachtha Andolan. As many as 30,954 beneficiaries have availed the facilities under Sandhya Suraksha Yojana in the district. Rs 50 crores will be allotted for Udupi CMC to take up development programmes, he elaborated.

A colourful processions and cultural programmes by the school students marked the Republic Day celebrations in the district. Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha and Superintendent of Police Prawin Pawar were present. DHNS/ Mangalorean

Udupi Press Club to get a building

Beltangady, Jan 26: “The coming budget proposals will have a declaration about providing Rs 28 crore annually to temples by way of fixed annual allowances,” revealed muzrai and home minister, Dr V S Acharya. He was speaking after dedicating the newly built chariot of Nala Goddess Durgaparameshwari Temple in the taluk to the Goddess, at a religious meeting organized on the occasion. He reminded the audience that the government had increased the allowances to the priests of muzrai temples from Rs 75 to Rs 6,000 per year, adding that there is a proposal to increase this amount further to Rs 12,000. He also said that he will sanction a grant of five lac rupees for the development works of Nala temple. He said that after he became the muzrai minister, this was the third chariot from the district to be dedicated to the presiding deities. He added that the people should become spiritually rich, along with building mental, physical and social health. He added that having money alone does not ensure development.

Sri Vidyaprasannateertha Swamiji of Subrahmanya Mutt, in his benedictory speech, said that the people need to pay obeisance to the deity of the village during the annual festival, as He is in a benevolent mood at that time.

Executive director of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, Dr L H Manjunath, presided. Kateel temple preist, Lakshminarayan Asraanna, Harikrishna Punaroor, Ashok Kumar Rai Mangalore and a few others participated as guests.

Mangalore: Home Minister Inaugurates City Police Commissionerat

Mangalore, Jan 26: The city’s police commissionerate was inaugurated in a programme held at the police ground on Tuesday January 26.

Dr V S Acharya, state home minister, inaugurated the commissionerate by unveiling the name board. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the commissionerate, which has been a need and demand of many years, was essential to maintain better law and order.

“It is a milestone in the development of the state and Mangalore has become the fourth commissionerate of the state”, he said.

Wishing all success to the police department, Dr Acharya said that this commissionerate should become the strongest and the police department has to maintain it as a model for others.

“The commissionerate, with its strength of police, will maintain law and order and tackle crime and other illegal activities easily”, he said.

Ajay Kumar Singh, director general of police, said that the inspector general of police (Western range) Gopal B Hosur will be the in-charge commissioner till further notice. Hosur welcomed all and said that 15 police stations and 2 traffic police stations will come under this commissionerate. District-in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar, Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar, Mayor Shankar Bhat, MLAs Yogish Bhat, U T Khader, Abhayachandra Jain, and Ramanath Rai, deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj, and superintendent of police Dr A Subrahmanyeswara Rao were present on the occasion. (Daijiworld)

M'lore Commissionerate - A right step (mangalorean): MANGALORE, January 27, 2009: Critics will still have their say, the new police commissionerate of Mangalore may have many flaws according to them, but have they forgotten to see the brighter side? The so called analysis they write in the columns of the popular newspapers speak about what the Commissionerate is not, but they forget to highlight what the commissionerate can be. But it is time to take a fair view of the things that the commissionerate can do to Mangalore to put an end to the illegalities that the city has endured for decades which the district police was not able to handle. Take for instance the traffic woes of the city. The city traffic police have not been able to reign in the rowdy bus operators, they flout every rule in the book, signal jumping, overspeeding, rash driving, using shrill horns in the city and in no horn zones, they have made the city roads virtually unsafe for all other road users. With the coming of the new police commissionerate all that will end. Two additional traffic divisions that will be created are expected to get more men and material to nail the bus operators into their place.Secondly, and most importantly the Commissioner will have magisterial powers, which will enable him to take action immediately in every law and order situation, there would not be a situation again where the city will have to reel under severe prohibitory orders like Curfew like it happened in October 2006. The communal goondas, underworld operators and common rowdies can be put away effectively, one can agree that the city got a bad name due to these guys. It is not that the earlier set up had any flaws under the command of the Inspector General of Police and the Superintendent of Police, but even the Home minister Dr. Acharya and the DGP-IG of Karnataka Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh agree that in the earlier set up the police force was stretched too far. Each policeman had to work more than 14-16 hours per day which made them ineffective. With the new commissionerate the city will get the City Armed Reserve (CAR) which will be reserved for exigencies like rioting, group clashes and communal situations, since men and material are readily available at the commissionerate the law and order situation could be controlled faster and effecitively it is an intensive operation that the men of the commissionerate can take up. It is not the intention of this write up to paint a rosy picture of the new commissionerate but the officials of the commissionerate will have frequent interaction with the Public. In cities like Bangalore and Mysore the commissioners are easily accessible to people, this brings the police and public closer and in such a situation the public become the informants of the police, this co-operation will pave a way for better understanding of the police system. But all that will start happening only after April 2010 when the Commissionerate will have its full complement of officers and vehicles. Presently Mr.Gopal Hosur Inspector Genreal of Police (Western Range) will hold the charge of Commissioner. He also as the additional charge of as the commandant of the Coastal Security Police. The Commissionerate will have to work with the present men who share other duties which may be a slight disadvantage for Mangalore Commissionerate.The new commissionerate will have a jurisdiction from Mulki to Thalapady and Mangalore to Kolavoor, and the present Superintendent of Police will have four taluks including Buntwal, Belthangady, Puttur and Sullia and a small portion of Moodbidri firca. Inclusion of Mulki into the Mangalore Commissionerate has been welcomed by the police also.

Vandalism not Attack!

Photo clearly shows the location of the grotto, outside the church compound, on the roadside. Glass covering the grotto was found to be broken - material for channels crying for breaking news! (photo by Daijiworld)

TNN, 26 January 2010, 09:44pm IST

Home minister V S Acharya has described Monday's vandalism in religious places in Mysore and Karwar as acts of thefts and not any concerted attack on churches. In an informal interaction with mediapersons on the sidelines of inauguration of the police commissionerate here on Tuesday, Acharya said these are acts of theft carried outside the church but on its premises and are not attacks on churches per se.

"The miscreants did damage property on church premises," he said adding that those involved in these incidents will not be spared. "Our government took stern action even when religious places were attacked by miscreants in the past," he said adding that the culprits in this case too would not be spared. The process of rounding up people and those involved in this incident - directly or otherwise is happening, Acharya added.

Make own security arrangement: BANGALORE, January 27, 2010: In the wake of twin attack on churches in Karnataka on last Monday, the BJP Government has expressed its difficulties in providing police security to religious institutions across the state on account of limited number of police personnel.

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Home Minister V S Acharya said it was difficult to the government to deploy police to guard all temples, churches and mosques in the State. Karnataka has only 90,000 police personnel but there are over 50,000 temples, churches and mosques in the State.

Dr Acharya pleaded the Government’s helplessness to protect or provide protection to the churches, mosques and temples as the police force was not sufficient to handle the task. The religious institutions have to make arrangements to provide security at the places of worship, he said. Dr Acharya appealed to the media and the opposition parties not to exaggerate the church attacks to tarnish the BJP Government and said that the attacks could well have been mere acts of theft or burglary.

Added on 14.02.2010: For some politicians, Terror attacks (Pune Blast killing 9) are trivial compared to road side Grotto vandalism!!!

26.01.2010: Republic Day!

Thought for the day

When the national media houses are busy crying hoarse on an "attack"(Vandalism to be precise!) on a churches...

here is a response reproduced from Daijiworld.

Gladson from Brahmavar writes...Gone are the days when devotees interceded saints to protect them from dangers! Now the Saints seem to be asking people to protect them! Why blame BJP, Congress or anyone when we have failed to restrict our own black sheep? Though the prevailing situation makes us easy to find fault with political parties and their chelas, let us not forget that we have enough people within our community who know how and when to take advantage of the situation. An incident that took place some months ago near Mangalore is a nice example. We can brush it off saying it is just a stray incident. But bottomline is that our clergy and laity leaders who feel comfortable hanging on to each other's garbs, often give enough reasons for at least a handful of people to have grouse. Leaving aside this, why can't we spend some money to provide the church premises with ample security? We spend crores on marble floors and sandlewood doors and a few lac on presbyteries. But fail to secure the building or appoint on security guard. While the critics can always argue as what one security guard can offer, let us not forget that his presence can make a lot of difference. We have locked up God within the church in such a manner that it becomes extremely difficult for Him to come out or shout for help when He is attacked!! Sad that when we enjoy a secure sleep inside our houses, our God has been exposed to attacks. He sent His Son 2000 years to rescue us but we don't have one security guard to protect Him now!

What they did not reveal about the "church attacks"

Mangalore: Weeds within - Seven Arrested for Damaging Church Property

Vandalism not attack

Cartoon: Prakash Shetty/Mediamirchi

23.01.2010: BigB in Bangalore

Udupi: State, a model in professional education

Bantakal (Udupi District) Jan 23: Home Minister V.S. Acharya has said that Karnataka is a model for the entire country in providing professional education. He was speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the Sri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management here on Friday.

Dr. Acharya said that there was not a single engineering college in the State prior to 1940. Even Sir M. Visvesvaraya had to go to Pune in Maharashtra to pursue engineering. But now there were 161 engineering colleges in the State. Civil engineering was the mother of all engineering courses. The country was on a fast expansion mode and a lot of infrastructure, including buildings and roads were being constructed. This required good civil engineers.

But after Vivesvaraya, the State had not produced an engineer of that calibre. It was necessary to appoint good teachers in engineering colleges, Dr. Acharya said.

Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, who laid the foundation stone, said that Sode Vadiraj Math was the first among the Ashta Maths of Udupi to start schools. Now the math had become the first among the Ashta Maths to start an engineering college, he said.

Hindu/ Pic: Janardan Kodavoor

Hasa Visit on 21.01.2010

CM at Paryaya

Pic: Janardan Kodavoor

CM at Udupi

Sapta Rathotsava

Photos: JP/Gulfkannadiga

17.01.2010: CM at Udupi

Report: Mangalorean/

Photos: Janardan Kodavoor

Udupi January 17, 2010: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today announced that an additional Rs Eight crore would be made available in the coming state budget for widening of Kalsanka-Manipal state highway project which is in progress.

Addressing after participating in several programmes, including inauguration of Baje second stage of drinking water project to Udupi city at Baje, inauguration of Ambagilu road widening project and foundation stone-laying ceremony for 'Gopurm' at Ambaligu, he assured to release Rs one crore of the Rs two crore sought by Udupi City Municipal Council for developing parks and gardens at Mannupalla near Manipal. He said the government was committed to developmental activities in the state. Calling upon the officials to concentrating their attention on developing more lakes, parks and gardens, he said in Bangalore, the BBMP had recovered 100 acres of encroached land and developed it into lakes and parks.

He said his government had given more thrust on health and education and is committed for development of major cities and the Bangalore city. He advised the opposition leaders to allow him to work peacefully for the remaining three-and-a-half year to complete his term with all developmental work without any hindrance so that they themselves chose him (Mr Yeddyurappa) to continue in office for the next term and choosing (the oppostion) to remain in opposition bench.

Referring to the hue and cry made by the opposition on the 'mid-night operation' in the BBMP, the Chief Minister clarified that the so called operation' was held only for the repair and maintenance of mechanical and technical work and intended to entrust work through global tender. If they (opposition) continue this attitude further, it would impact on the morale and sincerity of the officials, he said adding that even if his own people drag his feet, he will continue with the development work without paying attention to such activities.

Indicating to the developmental work in Udupi, he said he would make available an additional Rs eight crore each for compensation towards acquisition of land for road widening between Gundibail and Kalsanka and for the ongoing roadwidening project between Kalsanka and Manipal in the coming budget.

Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister, while replying to a query on the comment made by party's senior leader Dhananjaya Kumar on 4000 acres of land grabbed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, appealed the party leaders not to indulge in throwing stones on others sitting in the glass house. ''Let us concentrate our attention on developmental activities,'' he stated.

Replying another query, he said the issue of regularisation of 'Akrama Sskarma' would be discussed in the coming budget session.

16.01.2010: Mediation centre to come up in Udupi

Udupi Jan 17: Jawad Rahim, judge of the Karnataka High Court and Administrative Judge for Udupi district, said on Saturday that a mediation centre would be set up here.

He was speaking after inaugurating the second stage of the District Courts Complex.

Mr. Rahim said that alternative methods of dispute resolution such as mediation could be successful only with the cooperation of the Bar. In mediation, the disputants had to resolve the dispute and the court would put its seal on the resolution, he said.

Cordial relations between the Bar and the Bench were essential for smooth functioning of the judiciary. The present judicial officers enjoyed better salaries, infrastructure and other benefits than those about 10 years ago, Mr. Rahim said. Home Minister V.S. Acharya said that the number of family disputes were on the rise. Hence, a court dedicated to resolving such disputes should be set up here. He would speak to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar on this matter, he said and urged Mr. Rahim to look into it. He said the various demands of the Bar Association, including the one for the construction of a third floor for the District Courts Complex, would be considered. Dr. Acharya handed over a certificate granting one acre of land at Ajjarkad here for the construction of quarters for judicial officers.

D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP, said that while people had lost faith in many institutions, they still had a lot of faith in the judiciary. Dispensation of justice should be speeded up, he said and added that Lok Adalats should be encouraged.

Former presidents and secretaries of the Udupi Bar Association were felicitated.

Hindu/Photo: Janradan Kodavoor

Road beautification:Inauguration

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

Janaspandana @ Kukkehalli: 16.01.2010

Photo: Janradan Kodavoor

Human Development Index: Udupi on the top!

The district HDI for 2006 worked out to 0.762 which was 6.7 per cent higher than the 2001 district HDI of 0.714. The annual average improvement in health index during the last five years (2001 to 2006) worked out to 2.38 as against 0.41 per cent average annual growth witnessed during the decade of 1990s. The education index stood at 0.880, health at 0.798 and income 0.608 in 2006. This places Udupi & Dakshina Kannada districts within top 3 in the country for HDI.

(Photo: Makara Sankranti celebrations at Udupi, Janardan Kodavoor)

Funds for massive skills development progm

Karnataka today sought a massive fund of Rs 5,000 crore for skills development scheme to impart necessary training to the children of farming community in the state.

The fund will be employed to not only make those children employable in manufacturing and service sectors but also reduce dependency on the agricultural sector. A suggestion to this effect was tendered by Karnataka at a meeting convened by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who had invited state Finance Ministers for a pre-budget discussions. Karnataka, during the meeting, argued that 55 per cent of the state's population were dependent on agriculture sector which contributed a mere 17 per cent of the state's GSDP, Home Minister V S Acharya told reporters. He had attended the meeting on behalf of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who holds Finance portfolio. Dr Acharya said such massive skill development programme would help make the youths in rural areas eligible for taking jobs in other sectors and reduce dependency on agriculture.

He said among other things he had also sought the Centre to create a national fund in the forthcoming budget for addressing the developmental needs of backward regions of the country to remove the sense of regional disparity.

KANNADA & CULTURE DEPT. GETS RS. 170 CRORE

Mysore, Jan. 17 (ACP&DM)- Home Minister V.S. Acharya informed here that a grant of Rs. 170 crore has been released for the Kannada and Culture Department this year.

Speaking after inaugurating the Book Exhibition jointly organised by Hampi Kannada University and District Kannada Sahitya Parishat at a function organised in front of Kote Anja-neya Swamy temple on Friday, Acharya said that the previous Governments released only Rs. 18 crore for the Department.

"But this year, the Government has released Rs. 170 crore and this has provided an opportunity for doing more Kannada work. Kannada has a vast literary treasure. But unfortunately, not much interest is being shown towards Kannada," he regretted while observing that libraries have existed at home because of educated women.

Recalling his reading habits while in jail during emergency, Acharya said that Indira Gandhi provided him an opportunity to read more books.

"My 19-month stay in jail was the best part of my life, wherein I got an opportunity to read books that I could not study for the past 25 years," he explained.

Dr. Acharya released 12 books brought out by Hampi Kannada University on the occasion. Kannada University Vice-Chancellor Dr. V. Muni-gappa presided. Karnataka Ratna Dr. Dejagow, Nadoja Hampa Nagarajaiah and Kan-nada University Prasaranga's Advisory Committee member Dr. A.K. Hampanna were the chief guests. District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal welcomed. Prasaranga Director Dr. A. Mohan Kumar delivered the keynote address.

12.01.2010: Follow Vivekananda's ideals to take country forward: Dr. Acharya

Follow Vivekananda's ideals to take country forward: Dr. Acharya

Vivekananda never asked to desist from acquitting wealth or pleasure, but he said it should within the boundaries of Dharma, lest it led to pain.

Report by: Alvin Mendonca, Pic: Prajwal Ukkuda(NR)

Mangalore , Tuesday, January 12, 2010 : Follow the words of Swami Vivekananda and actively participate in developing the nation, advised State home minister V S Acharya. He was speaking after inaugurating the Youth Convention, which was organized to celebrate the birthday of the great Indian Seer Swami Vivekananda by the Ramakrishna Mutt here at Swami Vivekananda Hall Mangaladevi, on Tuesday 12th Jan 2010. In his inaugural address Dr Acharya urged students to follow Vivekananda's words and ideals. According to him, Vivekananda never asked anyone to desist from acquiring wealth or partake in pleasure, but what he urged was that it should be within the boundaries of Dharma, lest it lead to pain. Pointing out that his principles were very relevant even to this day, Acharya said the basic tenet of his preaching was that at the end of the day, one has to be a good human being. Swami Vivekananda inspired several youths during his life time and after. He dreamed about the future of our country, well on the path of development. He lived for a short period, but left an indelible mark on society. One of his dreams came true and he was able to represent his country before the world. He taught a valuable lesson of a real religion, one which will not force or harm anyone. He displayed it through his actions and ordinary life-style. In present times, he is indeed considered a great hero of every responsible citizen of the country. His words are a source of inspiration in one's daily life. Today India is continuing with some of his idea about science, which he advised during his times. Implementing the same, will definately lead to a better society and develop the nation further, Dr. Acharya opined. Recalling the centennial celebrations of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the commemorative stamp in which Vivekananda's picture was also printed, Acharya said it was the interaction between Jamsetji N Tata and Vivekananda on a ship in 1893, which paved the way for the setting up of the said Institute in Bangalore. Urging the students present at the function to follow the Sanathana dharma, which put forth the ideals of spiritual, physical and mental well being, the home minister said the younger generation must keep pace with the changing times as the world was changing at a faster pace than they imagined. "The mid point of the development of last century was put at just 17-18 years behind, which means the next mid-point will be even shorter," he noted. Earlier, Swami Purnakamanandaji, Head of the Ramakrishna Mutt, explained the message of Swami Vivekananda to the youth during the occasion. Vivekananda always emphasized on being virtuous, as without it physical, mental and spiritual strength does not have much value. He also recalled Vivekananda's belief that only youth can guide the nation to greatness. Dr. Raghavendra Bhatt was present during the formal function. Adarsha Gokale, renowned speaker from Karkala and Prof. M S Krishnaprasad were the resource persons on the occasion.

Bramhavar Coop. Sugar Factory to clear dues shortly: Acharya

Udupi, Jan 12 : Karnataka Minister for Home Dr V S Acharya today announced that M/s Rami Sugar Infrastructure Limited which had taken over the defunct Bramhavar Co operative Sugar Factory had agreed to make arrangements for the immediate release of Rupees 12 crore for the payment towards the outstanding dues to sugarcane growers, arrears to the employees and the outstanding loans due to several Primary Co Operative Societies in the district. Addressing a press conference after chairing the meeting along with the Sugar Director of Karnataka and the Commissioner for Sugarcane Development A K Monnappa, representatives from the district and the representatives from Rami Sugars to find early solutions for the revival of the defunct factory since last eight years, he said that M/s Rami Sugars, from Mumbai though have taken over the factory four years back it could not start due to some technical problems, mainly the selection of the suitable partners.

He said that the firm had now able to find a partner- M/s. Sri Annapoorna Groups from Hyderabad with whom it was negotiating and reaching at the final stage. The company had agreed to stick on to the original agreement for the total investment of Rs 31.61 crore including settlement of all dues and rejuanation of the factory for crushing the sugarcane. The representative of the company present at the meeting had also agreed to make immediate advance payment of Rs 12 crore and rest in equated yearly payment of Rs 1.5 crore. With the decision taken at the meeting today, the minister hoped that the factory would commence crushing of sugarcane after an year. He said that the government assured the company that besides production of sugar, it would also be allowed to take up production of byproducts such as distillery, co-generation and Ethanol besides enhancing the crushing capacity to 25,000 tonnes. The outcome of the meeting will be presented before the next cabinet meeting for approval, he added.

--UNI

Special team to oversee sand mining

MANGALORE: The government will soon constitute a special team to look into various issues pertaining to sand mining, said home minister Dr VSAcharya. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, he said the special team will look into aspects on the removal of sand from rivers, the time, area and quantity of sand to be removed in a particular river basin annually.

Commenting on the sand mafia, he said it had inter-state ramifications. "But, we also need sand. Sand has to be removed from the rivers annually, if not, it will lead to flooding. A total of 40 sub-inspectors will be recruited to a special team which will specially look after this issue," he said.

Deve Gowda's outburst disgusting
Acharya said he was worried that former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda's fiery outbursts should not lead to any law and order problem. "The author of NICE is Deve Gowda and now the robber is crying thief. It pains us and his behaviour is disgusting," said Acharya. He complimented chief minister B S Yeddyurappa for not losing his cool. "I believe Deve Gowda is feeling like a fish out of water without power and that may be the reason for such an outburst," said Acharya.

Road paved with interlocking tiles: first in Coastal districts

Inaugurated today @ Udupi

Photo: Janardan Kodavoor

Update 10.01.2010

Down the memory lane: Udupi Municipal Council 1968

Dr VSAcharya (seated 3rd from left)

Dr B R Shetty (seated fifth from left)

Platinum jubilee of Udupi municipality

Udupi, Jan 10: ''Strive to increase the income and resources in the local administrative bodies,'' Home Minister and District-in-Charge Minister Dr V S Acharya said.

Addressing the members of the public after inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi Town Municipality and the convention of local bodies of the district at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday, Acharya said that all assets belong to municipalities should be identified properly and property tax should be collected promptly. “There is no need of increasing the property tax for buildings, houses, shops and other assets. But instead, local bodies can increase their income by collecting the existing tax efficiently,” he added.

It is quite natural that people often censure municipality officials. However, officials should not lose their patience while discharging their duty, Acharya advised. “I started my political career 42 years ago as a municipality member. Most of my dream projects including 24 hours water supply, proper road connectivity, cleanliness, streetlights and other facilites are being realised now,” he added.

MP D V Sadananda Gowda said that the local bodies should utilise government funds properly for the development of the town. MLAs Raghupathi Bhat, Lalaji R Mendan, Lakshminarayana, MLC Kota Srinivasa Poojari, Town Municipality president Dinakara Shetty and Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha were present.

Udupi CMC chalks out plans to beautify city

Udupi CMC has chalked out elaborate plans to introduce development programmes for beautification of the city to commemorate its platinum jubilee celebrations.

Speaking to the mediapersons here on Friday, CMC President Dinaker Shetty said e-governance will be introduced in all CMC offices at the cost of Rs 5 lakh. The Town hall will be renovated besides and Bhujanga park will get a facelift in the course of development process. Medical insurance will be provided to all the SC/ST community people coming under CMC limits. A commercial complex will be built in Malpe under IDSMT programme.

“Appropriate measures will be taken to introduce scientific disposal of solid wastes. Door to door awareness campaign will be held to aid segregation of organic and solid wastage in each house. 24x7 water supply facilities will be made available. Measures will be taken to lessen the Non Revenue Water Supply provisions,” he said.

The plaque marking the platinum jubilee celebrations will be installed in all the major places. A hoarding will be set up at Kinnimulki welcome tower. Similarly, huge metal boarding reading the platinum jubilee celebrations will be set up at major NH junctions. The boarding will be put up at the roads leading to Mangalore, Kundapur and Karkala, he added.

“A souvenir will be released comprising exclusive information regarding the footprints of CMC all these years. Cultural programmes, beach festival, folk fest, food festivals will be part of the celebrations,” he said. Vice President Indira Shekar, Standing Committee Chairman Mahesh Takur and others were present.

01.01.2010

Welcome & Felicitation to Shiroor Swamiji, Karamballi Venkatarmana Temple renovation project (photos by Janardan Kodavoor), New year celebration: green way!