Mangaluru: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U.T. Khader inspected the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex at Padil on Sunday as preparations gathered pace for the state Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held in Mangaluru on September 18.
Khader visited Praja Soudha along with senior government officials to assess its suitability as the venue for the Cabinet meeting. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has expressed a preference for holding the meeting at a government institution, following which the Padil DC office complex was inspected.
The proposed Cabinet meeting is expected to bring the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials to the coastal city. The visit is also expected to provide an opportunity to place development priorities and long-pending demands from Dakshina Kannada and the wider coastal region before the state government.
Padil DC office inspected for Cabinet meeting
Khader said preparations were underway to ensure that the Cabinet meeting is conducted smoothly. The Padil complex was examined as a possible venue, with officials assessing the facilities required to host the Chief Minister, Ministers and senior officers.
According to reports, the meeting is expected to be attended by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Minister’s advisers, the Finance Secretary and other senior officials. Additional officials are likely to participate depending on the subjects included on the Cabinet agenda.
The administration is also expected to make arrangements for accommodation and other logistical requirements for Ministers and officials travelling to Mangaluru from outside Dakshina Kannada.
Coastal development issues likely to come up
The Cabinet meeting is being viewed as an opportunity for the coastal region to place its development requirements directly before the state government.
Khader said consultations would be held with local MLAs and other stakeholders to prepare a list of development projects and demands concerning Dakshina Kannada and the coastal region. The proposals will subsequently be placed before the Cabinet for consideration.
The exercise is expected to cover region-specific issues requiring government attention. While the exact list of proposals to be discussed has not yet been finalised, consultations with elected representatives and stakeholders are expected ahead of the meeting.
Holding the Cabinet meeting outside Bengaluru could also allow Ministers and senior officials to get a closer understanding of the infrastructure, development and administrative requirements of the coastal districts.
Khader defends CM’s aerial drought survey
During his interaction with reporters, Khader also responded to criticism from Opposition parties over Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s aerial assessment of drought-affected areas.
Khader defended the decision to conduct the survey by helicopter, saying an aerial assessment could provide a broader view of the extent of damage. He urged Opposition parties not to politicise natural disasters and relief measures.
The Minister said the priority should be to understand the difficulties faced by people and take appropriate measures to provide relief. He also called for cooperation between the ruling party and Opposition in addressing issues concerning the people and the state’s development.
Arrangements to gather pace ahead of September 18
With the Cabinet meeting scheduled for September 18, preparations are expected to intensify over the coming days. The venue, accommodation, security and other logistical arrangements will have to be finalised before the arrival of the Chief Minister, Ministers and senior officials.
The meeting is also expected to give Dakshina Kannada representatives an opportunity to highlight development priorities at the state’s highest decision-making forum.
Khader’s inspection of the Padil DC office complex marks an early step in preparations for the meeting. Further consultations with local elected representatives and stakeholders are expected to help shape the list of proposals that could be placed before the Cabinet.
The September 18 meeting will therefore be significant for Mangaluru and the coastal region, particularly if key local development proposals receive consideration and decisions from the state government.