District min inaugrates post-matric hostel for boys in city

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated the Dr BR Ambedkar Government Post-Matric Boys’ Hostel, with a capacity of 100 students near Kadri Hills in the city on Friday.

The four-storey building, constructed at a cost of Rs 6.6 crore under the supervision of the public works department, has a total built-up area of 1,432 sqm. The structure includes a dining hall, kitchen, sick room, warden’s room and washrooms.

A separate pre-matric hostel is also under construction adjacent to the newly inaugurated facility.

The hostel includes a four-person student room with bunker beds and a two-bed sick room on the ground floor, while each upper floor accommodates around 32 students.

Assistant director of the social welfare department, Suresh Adiga, said that the old hostel building was demolished three years ago, and that priority will be given to students of the SC/ST community, while 25% is reserved for students of backward classes.

Speaking at the inauguration, Gundu Rao said the hostel would greatly benefit students coming to Mangaluru from different districts for education.

“This is a well-equipped building that will benefit everyone. Similar hostels at Belthangady and Bantwal are also ready for inauguration. There is a huge need for hostels in this region as many students from different districts come to the city for studies. Approval has also been granted for another hostel near Puttur, and we will continue supporting more such projects,” he said.

Responding to recent criticism from Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath regarding alleged negligence in monsoon preparedness, Rao dismissed the remarks as politically motivated.

“I do not have to answer political remarks. People are watching my work. Though I am not from this district, I visit here frequently. Development and maintaining a good atmosphere in this district have happened under the Congress govt, and we will continue taking it to greater heights,” he said.

Gundu Rao also questioned the absence of MLA Kamath during the inauguration programme and expressed hope that he would attend other events, including a programme at Wenlock hospital.

Backing the minister, MLC Ivan D’Souza said that no previous district minister had visited Dakshina Kannada as frequently as Gundu Rao.

“During the BJP regime, how many times did V Sunil Kumar or Kota Shrinivas Poojary visit? There is no answer to such false accusations,” he added.