After unfurling tricolour, UTK promises National Coast Guard Academy for Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 15: U T Khader, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district has said that the Indian Coast Guard will set up its national training academy in Mangaluru. 

Delivering the Independence Day address at the Nehru Maidan here on Wednesday, Mr. Khader said that preparations were on to have the academy in Mangaluru.

He said that the KIOCL is mulling over setting up of two Captive Power Plants which in turn will provide employment to 500 to 600 youth from the district. The government is planning to develop and expand the runway at Mangaluru International Airport. The work on district administration complex at Padil, at a cost of Rs 41 crore is in progress.

The state government has already launched ‘E-Kshana’ to issue caste, income and residence certificate online and over the counter immediately. Accordingly, 81,213 certificates have been issued in the district. Under Arogya Karnataka Yojane, 191 patients have availed treatment worth Rs 1.21 crore in Dakshina Kannada district since June 1.

Stating that the district has received 150% rainfall during the year, he said that 11 people have lost lives in rain-related incidents.

The district administration has taken measures to take up rain relief works. He appealed to the public to extend their support to the district administration in restoring public properties damaged due to rain.

“To retain the freedom that we received through the hard work of freedom fighters, we have to sing the unity song throughout. Dakshina Kannada is known for its secular ideologies. There is a need to take the district on the path of development. Let us build a society on the principles of love, trust and harmony,” said the minister.

Remembering freedom fighter Karnad Sadashiva Rao, the minister said there is a need to introduce the life of Karnad Sadashiva Rao among children.

Later, Mr. Khader told media persons that initially it had been proposed to set up the academy in Kannur. With the decision of the State government to earmark 208 acres of land near Baikampady, the Coast Guard has decided to have the academy in Mangaluru.

“There is a technical issue regarding handing over land which has been allotted to a company earlier but later withdrawn. It will be sorted out shortly,” Mr. Khader said and added that the academy would help in boasting the economy of the region.