Mangaluru: Former Karnataka minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice president B Ramanath Rai has welcomed the state government’s decision to hold a cabinet meeting in the coastal region and urged the Centre to take concrete steps towards including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatte on Wednesday, September 16, Rai said the cabinet meeting in the coastal region offered an important opportunity to discuss developmental concerns that have remained pending for several years.
He appealed to political parties and elected representatives to cooperate with the government and use the meeting to secure decisions that could benefit Dakshina Kannada and the wider coastal region.
Rai welcomes cabinet meeting in coastal region
Rai said the decision to hold the cabinet meeting in the coastal region should be viewed as an opportunity to take up issues concerning infrastructure, land, language, social welfare and coastal development.
He appealed to political parties not to disrupt the meeting through protests or black-flag demonstrations. Instead, he urged political representatives to focus on securing concrete decisions on the region’s long-pending demands.
Rai said the development of Dakshina Kannada should be assessed in its entirety, taking into account the infrastructure and institutions established over successive governments.
He referred to the airport, seaport, roads, bridges, university and regional passport office as examples of major developments in the district. He attributed several of these initiatives to successive Congress governments and said the region’s progress should not be viewed only through recent demands or announcements.
Tulu language demand
A major issue raised by Rai was the longstanding demand for inclusion of Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Rai urged the BJP-led Union government and elected representatives from the coastal region to make concrete efforts to pursue constitutional recognition for the Tulu language. He particularly called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give an assurance on the issue.
“If the prime minister gives such a commitment, Tulu will receive the recognition and respect it deserves,” Rai said.
Rai also questioned why BJP leaders who have been advocating recognition for Tulu could not use their influence at the Centre to advance the demand.
The demand for inclusion of Tulu in the Eighth Schedule has been raised for several years by organisations and representatives from the coastal Karnataka region. Rai said the present political leadership should utilise its position to pursue the issue at the national level.
Rai recalls Congress welfare initiatives
During the press conference, Rai also recalled several welfare-oriented measures implemented under Congress governments and said Dakshina Kannada had benefited substantially from land reforms and social welfare programmes.
He highlighted the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, under which tenant farmers were given ownership rights over agricultural land. He also referred to bank nationalisation, debt relief measures introduced during the Devaraj Urs government and the waiver of electricity charges for agricultural pump sets.
Rai further pointed to the regularisation of land under Bagair Hukum and Section 94C. He said Dakshina Kannada, particularly Bantwal, had benefited considerably from the distribution of land titles under Section 94C.
He recalled inviting former revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa to Bantwal to initiate the distribution of such titles. Rai praised Thimmappa for his efforts towards securing land rights for poor and landless families.
Rai also referred to welfare programmes involving pensions and housing assistance. He said his priority had been to ensure that benefits intended for weaker sections reached eligible beneficiaries without unnecessary difficulties.
Demand for DC Manna land allocation
Rai also raised the issue of DC Manna lands, which he said had remained pending for Scheduled Community members.
According to Rai, former minister Kagodu Thimmappa had earlier taken decisions concerning the issue, while discussions had also been held at the deputy commissioner’s office.
Rai said he would submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking an early decision on the allocation of DC Manna lands to poor and marginalised communities.
He said resolving the issue would provide relief to families who have been awaiting clarity and action on land allocation for a long period.
Financial support sought for Daiva Aradhane workers
Rai also sought financial and social security measures for traditional workers associated with Daiva Aradhane in the coastal region.
He specifically referred to Chaakri workers, Paaddana singers and drum beaters who play traditional roles in Daiva Aradhane. Rai said their contribution to preserving the region’s cultural traditions should be recognised through appropriate financial assistance.
A memorandum seeking a monthly stipend or pension under the honorarium category has been prepared, he said, adding that it would be submitted to the chief minister.
Rai said the proposed assistance could potentially be provided through funds available with the religious endowments (Muzrai) department and would therefore not necessarily require a fresh allocation from the state budget.
Praja Soudha and coastal development
Rai also spoke about the Praja Soudha DC office complex in Mangaluru, saying its construction had been one of his dreams during his tenure.
He expressed satisfaction that the cabinet meeting was now scheduled to be held in the same building. Rai recalled the administrative and legal challenges involved in securing clearances for the project, including proceedings relating to forest-designated land and matters before the National Green Tribunal.
He also welcomed the recent relaxation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions, saying the changes could create opportunities for infrastructure and tourism development along the coast.
According to Rai, reduced distance norms from the high-tide line could facilitate development in coastal areas while opening up opportunities for infrastructure projects and tourism-related activities.
Call for decisions on long-pending demands
Rai said the cabinet meeting should be welcomed irrespective of political differences and urged the government to use the occasion to address issues that have remained unresolved for the coastal region.
From Tulu’s demand for constitutional recognition and the allocation of DC Manna lands to support for traditional Daiva Aradhane workers and coastal development, Rai said several issues required government attention.
He also appealed to political parties to cooperate with the cabinet meeting rather than focus on disruptions. The meeting, he said, should become an opportunity to secure concrete decisions for Dakshina Kannada and the wider coastal region.