Mangaluru (Karnataka), Sep 18 (IANS): Describing the first-ever Karnataka Cabinet meeting being held in the coastal city of Mangaluru on Friday as a historic occasion, state ministers said the government had come to the doorstep of the coastal region to address its pressing issues and chart a road map for its development on par with leading coastal tourist destinations such as Kerala and Goa.
Deputy Chief Minister, G. Parameshwara, said the special Cabinet meeting was being held in Mangaluru as the coastal region was facing several pressing issues, and some decisions would be taken on them.
“The coastal region has great potential, particularly in tourism. Kerala and Goa have utilised their coastal areas for tourism. Now, the Chief Minister and I have thought of developing this region on par with them,” Parameshwara said.
Health, Family Welfare, Minority Affairs and Waqf Minister and Mangaluru District In-charge Minister, U.T. Khader, said the government was positive about addressing the demands of the coastal region and that holding the Cabinet meeting there for the first time reflected its solidarity with the people.
“For the first time, a Cabinet meeting is being held in the coastal region. The entire government has come to the doorstep of the coastal region today. Whatever the demands of the region are, projects that are legally viable will be implemented,” Khader said.
He said whether the government provided more or less was a separate matter, but the decision to hold the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru demonstrated the government’s moral solidarity with the region.
Khader said the government would formulate a policy aimed at recognising the potential of the youth in the coastal region, while infrastructure and financial support would be provided at later stages.
He also said developed regions such as the coastal belt required continued programmes for further growth.
“There is the Kalyan Karnataka region, which is not developed, and there is the Nanjundappa report to ensure its development. But regions like ours, which are already developed, also need programmes for further development. Otherwise, we will go backwards,” he said.
On the demand for official recognition of Tulu, Khader said the language was the soul of the coastal region and reflected its culture and heritage.
“Preserving culture means preserving the language. Our demand has been to recognise Tulu. The Chief Minister is positive about this, and the issue will come up for discussion at the Cabinet meeting,” he said.
Home, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the government would remain focussed on development despite criticism.
“Whether the government coming to your doorstep is good or bad, and whether giving a blueprint for development is good or bad, criticism cannot be our answer. We will focus on development,” he said.
Puttur Congress MLA, Ashok Rai, described the Cabinet meeting as a historic moment, saying it was the first time such a meeting was being held in Mangaluru.
“This day will find a place in history. Our Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is aiming to develop the Mangaluru region on par with tourist destinations such as Kerala and Goa. The government will announce a slew of measures for the development of the region,” he said.
