Oscar calls for job security to drivers, cleaners and conductors

February 11, 2011

Udupi, February 11: Laborers working in the transport industry shall be assured of social security, said Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandies.

He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day national conference “Payana-2011” on 'Bus Transport Management-A Futuristic Approach', organized by Karnataka State

Bus Owners Federation in association with Manipal Institute of Management (MIM), at Ammani Ramanna Shetty Auditorium, here on Friday.

He said both central and state governments should take up the responsibility of providing secured livelihood to drivers, conductors, cleaners and fitters and other workforce. They shall also be provided with health benefits, insurance schemes, and retirement benefits along with security against old age, disability and death.

"In the transport industry, maintenance charges is a major concern and that could however be overcome by improving roads, mainly by concretizing roads and by providing better infrastructural facilities at bus stops'', he said.

Research and technological innovations should be the buzzword for transformation in the transport system, he added.

Port and Environment Minister Krishna Palemar stressed on the need for changes in the attitude of the personnel working in busses to ensure people friendly services.

He demanded for a common single tax policy across the country for all transport vehicles. "Nationalization and liberalization of transport system shall not worry the bus operators, as long as they offer best service to the people'', he said.

Chairman of the Coastal Development Authority Chairman Nagraj Shetty released the logo of the State Bus Operators Federation. Udupi-Chikmagalur MP DV Sadananda Gowda, Registrar of Manipal University Dr GK Prabhu, Vice President the Federation Chittranjan Das, Bus Operators Rajavarma Ballal, P Rabeendra Nayak and others were present.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

News Network

December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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