Mangaluru (Karnataka), Sep 19 (IANS) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made a surprise visit to the Mangaluru Port early on Saturday morning and inspected the fishing yard, jetties and fish market. He also interacted with fishermen and traders and heard their concerns.
District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader, Congress leaders Padmaraj and Inayat Ali, former president of the Dakshina Kannada District Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Association Chetan Bengre, Mohan Bengre and other local leaders were present during the visit.
Speaking to the media later, CM Shivakumar said he had visited the port a long time ago and had heard the problems faced by the fishermen and others associated with the sector.
“I got up at 5 a.m. and came here along with District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader. They have given us a list of their problems and I am also witnessing them with my own eyes. We have to come out with solutions,” he said.
CM Shivakumar said the government had plans to develop the maritime and fisheries sectors and promote the blue economy. He said a university would be established in this sector and the number of student seats would be increased from 40 to 50 and eventually to 200.
“We are coming out with a new master plan for education connected to the sea and water,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government had also announced several programmes related to sea connectivity. He said Karnataka currently did not have passenger or goods transportation from one place to another through the sea and that the government planned to introduce such services, including a sea Metro.
“There are a lot of issues here. My district minister is here and he will attend to them and resolve them,” Shivakumar said.
He said some of the decisions taken by the government would not be limited to the coastal region but would cover the development of rural areas across the state. Such programmes would be implemented through gram panchayats and local bodies, he added.
Asked about appreciation from NRIs over the decision regarding Tulu language, Shivakumar said the language had a long history and that the sentiments of people living in the region and those who were born there should be respected.
“We have to respect the sentiments and the language has a big history. We have to ensure that the language does not get wiped off. We should encourage them,” he said.
Shivakumar said there had been a demand for the move cutting across party lines. He said the other party had been unable to take the decision and that he had decided to proceed with it.
“The Cabinet meeting was held for the first time in history and we made history. Still, a lot of decisions are on the way,” he said.
–IANS
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