Manaluru, Jun 23: Taking a dig at Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for unaccomplished development project in his constituency, district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai questioned on what basis the former was conferred “no. 1 MP” title by a vernacular daily.
Stating that one cannot become no. 1 just by spending the MPLAD funds, Mr Rai urged the MP to concentrate on development works instead of spending time on celebrations.
A sum of Rs. 26 crore had been released for construction of service roads between B.C. Road and Surathkal (Port Connectivity project).
The MP has to get the work speeded up, without which people would not pay the toll, he said.
Similarly, the work on the road underbridge on Padil-Bajal Road was moving at a slow pace. The region was in need of an IIT; a world class railway station; central university; full-fledged passport office and many more. There are MPs from the coastal region without ‘numbers,’ — Shobha Karandlaje and D.V. Sadananda Gowda. Let them join hands with the “no. 1 MP” to get these projects to the region, Mr. Rai said.
Mr Rai also criticised the style of functioning of outgoing Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati. He said that an “upright” officer stalled the renovation work of the Town Hall.
The minister said that he had directed the officer in January to ensure that renovation work was completed within three months.
“We can issue directions, but it is the officials who have to perform. Even after six months, work has not been completed,” he said.
When a reporter pointed out that the delay was due to the Nirmithi Kendra, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, which was unable to execute the work because of a “clash of political interests”, Mr. Rai said that the officer could have overcome the obstacle. In a meeting convened on Monday, he directed the officials concerned to complete the renovation work by August, Mr. Rai added.
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