Palemar promises development in I-Day address

August 15, 2011

Mangalore, August 15: At least 1.5 crore people across the state have been benefited by the several pro-people schemes implemented by the BJP led State government in the last three years, said Krishna J Palemar, District in Charge Minister.

He was delivering the 65th Independence Day message after hoisting the tricolour flag at the Nehru Maidan here on Monday morning.

He said, of the Rs 100 crore special grant sanctioned by the Ex-Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, 17 concrete roads will be constructed in the city. As many as 210 asphalt and inter-lock roads will also be constructed, he said.

He announced that out of the Rs 362.88 lakh sanctioned under 13th Finance Commission, drinking water supply, drainage system and street lights will be developed. He said that an amount of Rs 169.48 lakh has been earmarked for the development of roads under this grant.

He said an action plan of Rs 38.02 crore which was sanctioned for local civic bodies under SFC grant would be sent to government for the approval.

In order to solve the housing problem in the District under Basava Vasathi Yojna, he said, 9,648 beneficiaries were identified and shelter for 7,214 beneficiaries in urban area and 50, 559 in rural area have been provided at the cost of Rs.1655.45 lakhs.

Nearly 2,000 people flocked to the Nehru Maidan as the Minister unfurled the National Flag. Minister also inspected the guard of honour on a vehicle.

The Independence Day parade of 17 teams, led by Yashoda Shibarooru, District Probationary DySP, including KSRP, NCC (Airwing and Naval-Junior/Senior), District Armed Reserve (DAR) police, Civil, Traffic, Coast Guards, Home Guards, Scouts, Guides, Bharat Seva Dal, Road Safety Patrol and student's band enthralled the gathering.

Road Safety Patrol team of St Theresa School and NCC Air Wing have got first and second prizes respectively for the parade.

Air Show

This year's Independence Day also witnessed a Mini Airshow by Rathnakara Nayak of Karkala, Airo India Model Society rising India to the high in the skies amid gaiety and patriotic fervor of gathered.

Felicitation

On the occasion three special children Dhanya Rao, Royston Pinto and Anil Mendonsa who have won medals in the recently held Special Olympics in Athens, were given a warm felicitation.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channapa Gowda, IGP Alok Mohan, City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, SP Labhu Ram, Mayor Praveen and others were present.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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