Khader asks coast to welcome cabinet meeting

Mangaluru: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader on Thursday appealed to people, political parties and organisations in coastal Karnataka to join in welcoming the state Cabinet, which will hold its meeting in Mangaluru on Friday.

Khader said the meeting addressed a long-pending demand from Dakshina Kannada and would provide an opportunity to take up development requirements of Mangaluru and the wider Tulunadu region.

Addressing a press conference at Praja Soudha in Padil, he said proposals covering tourism, healthcare, education, transport and connectivity were likely to be discussed, along with representations received from the public and local representatives.

He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had held a recent meeting with legislators from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada to identify department-wise requirements for the region.

Khader also appealed to groups planning protests during the Cabinet’s visit to withdraw their programmes, saying the coastal region was known for its tradition of harmony and hospitality.

On the controversy over the mobile phone jammer installed at Mangaluru prison, Khader said relocating the jail to Mudipu would address both the jammer-related concerns and the prison’s space constraints.

Khader defended the involvement of private medical colleges and hospitals in government healthcare facilities, saying poor patients were not being charged for treatment. According to him, private institutions were providing doctors and other staff using their own resources and CSR initiatives.

He cited Ullal as an example, saying daily patient attendance there had risen from about 60 to nearly 600 after the model was introduced.

On the proposed Cabinet itinerary, Khader said that the Chief Minister and ministers were expected to participate in programmes beginning with a visit to a religious site, with Kadri temple likely to be the starting point. A public welcome was planned at Pumpwell, followed by a coastal meal at Tannirbhavi, he said.

Asked about Congress leader B K Hariprasad’s remarks concerning Umar Khalid, Khader said the issue had not come before the Cabinet and that Hariprasad’s statement was his personal opinion. He said he would speak to the Congress leader about it. Khader said nearly all ministers were expected to attend, while one or two could be absent because of prior international engagements or Rajya Sabha responsibilities.

He also asked residents to cooperate with the authorities as traffic diversions could be introduced during VIP movement. Cabinet decisions, once approved and signed by the Chief Minister, would be sent to the respective departments for preparation of action plans, Khader said. Proposals exceeding Rs. 10 crore would have to be brought back to the Cabinet for final approval.

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The Hans India