Dist min Gundu Rao neglected monsoon preparedness: MLA

Mangaluru: Criticising Dakshina Kannada district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, BJP’s Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath alleged that the authorities have been negligent in preparing for the upcoming monsoon season.

Kamath told reporters on Thursday, that he had held meetings with all relevant departments in his constituency, but alleged that Gundu Rao does not have time.

Taking a jab at Gundu Rao, Kamath said that during the BJP regime, at least two meetings were held ahead of the monsoon, but now, “one would need binoculars to find Gundu Rao.”

He criticised the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for not properly carrying out precautionary works such as dredging rajakaluves and drains and appointing gangmen in every ward despite repeated instructions.

On gangmen appointments, he said the tender process had not even begun. He also alleged that dredging was not being done properly, though tender conditions require it to continue periodically until the end of the monsoon.

Kamath said the minister was “not interested at all” and was “indulging only in politics.” He warned that in some places even JCBs could not move properly, affecting dredging work and would cause artificial flooding during the rainy season. He urged MCC officials to act immediately.

He further accused the Congress government of neglecting Dakshina Kannada.

“No development works are being undertaken. If the district minister visits the district only once every two or three months, as a visiting minister or mainly for inaugurations, what will be the condition of Dakshina Kannada?” he questioned.

“Our district minister seems completely unconcerned. He should have convened at least one meeting with MCC officials and local representatives. When the minister himself shows no urgency, the entire administration follows suit—and the people of Mangaluru suffer for it,” he said.

Kamath welcomed CM Siddaramaiah’s support for establishing a high court circuit bench in Mangaluru.

He said he had supported the bar association throughout its struggle, and had raised the demand before the chief minister, law minister HK Patil and in the assembly.

In the meantime, he also opposed any proposal for a mobile bench in another district, insisting that the bench must be set up in Mangaluru. He praised the Mangaluru Bar Association for its patience and restraint.

Kamath also said the new Karnataka German Technical Training Institute building at Kadri Hills, built at a cost of Rs 20.9 crore, was a BJP-era project.

He said two acres were allotted in 2019, Rs 15.2 crore sanctioned in 2021, revised to Rs 20.9 crore in 2022, and the foundation stone laid on Dec 16, 2022, by then minister Ashwath Narayan.

Stating that there should be no politics in development, Kamath urged the Congress government to provide all necessary equipment and basic facilities on priority to support students’ future.

Meanwhile, he also alleged that social security pensions, including old-age, widow and retired employees’ pensions, had been delayed for three months statewide, causing hardship.

If people approach officials seeking their pending pensions, they are told that the government has not released the funds, he added.