Grama Vastavya is a 'gimmick' to shift focus from coalition: Sadananda Gowda

News Network
June 3, 2019

Bengaluru, Jun 3: Calling the 'Grama Vastavya' initiative of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy a "gimmick," Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda Monday said it was a ploy to shift focus from the bickerings in the Congress-JDS coalition.

His comments come a day after Kumaraswamy announced he would resume his 'Grama Vastavya' (village stay) programme to find out the challenges facing the state's rural areas.

Kumaraswamy had initiated the programme to interact with villagers during his previous tenure as chief minister, which lasted from February 2006 to October 2007.

"Earlier, he (Kumaraswamy) used to go to villages and stay there, but none of the villages had been taken care of by the then government, and now, he faces a big challenge of saving his crumbling government, therefore he wants to shift focus from it," the Union Minister told reporters here.

Responding to a query on Chemicals and Fertilizers ministry, Gowda said there was a need for the revival of four major plants to check too much import of fertilisers.

"Practically, we have to revive four major units. For now, we are importing too much of fertilisers. Now, we want to ensure that manufacturing is done in our country that reduces the cost of fertilisers," he said.

On the three-language formula issue, Gowda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already indicated that there would be no imposition of any kind on any state.

Amid controversy over the recommendation of an HRD Ministry panel to teach Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, a revised draft education policy was issued Monday that did not have a mention of the language being compulsory.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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