Mangaluru: State Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader has appealed to people, organisations and political parties across the coastal region to extend a grand welcome to the Karnataka Cabinet ahead of its meeting in Mangaluru on September 18.
Addressing a press conference at Praja Soudha in Padil on Thursday, Khader said the Cabinet meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss development requirements of Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru and the wider coastal region. The meeting is scheduled at the District Administration Office complex in Padil.
Development proposals to be discussed
Khader said several proposals relating to tourism, healthcare, education, transport, connectivity and other sectors would be placed before the Cabinet.
He added that the government would also consider representations submitted by members of the public and local representatives.
The minister said Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had recently held a detailed meeting with MLAs from Mangaluru, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. Department-wise requirements and development issues concerning the coastal districts were discussed during the meeting.
The upcoming Cabinet sitting is expected to focus on development priorities in the coastal region. Earlier discussions held by Khader with industry, fisheries and tourism representatives have also identified infrastructure, roads, fisheries, tourism and industrial development as areas requiring attention.
Khader appeals against protests
Khader appealed to organisations and groups planning demonstrations during the Cabinet’s visit to withdraw their protests and cooperate with the arrangements.
He said Tulunadu was known for its culture of harmony and hospitality and called for the Cabinet to be welcomed in that spirit.
On concerns relating to prison jammers, Khader said the issue was not new. He said the proposed shifting of the existing prison to Mudipu would provide a permanent solution to concerns relating to jammers as well as the shortage of space.
He urged those planning demonstrations to reconsider their programmes and cooperate with the events planned around the Cabinet’s visit.
Private hospitals’ role in government healthcare
Khader also defended the involvement of private medical colleges and hospitals in supporting government healthcare facilities.
He said poor patients were not being charged for treatment under the initiative and that private institutions were providing doctors and staff using their own resources and through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
According to Khader, the model was first implemented in Ullal and resulted in an increase in daily patient attendance from around 60 to nearly 600.
“Shouldn’t the poor receive quality healthcare in government hospitals?” he asked while explaining the government’s approach to improving healthcare delivery.
The minister said the participation of private institutions was intended to strengthen the availability of medical services at government facilities.
Traditional coastal cuisine planned
Khader said the chief minister and Cabinet ministers were expected to participate in programmes during their visit to the coastal region.
He said Kadri temple was likely to be the starting point for the programme and that a grand welcome was planned at Pumpwell.
The ministers are also expected to be served traditional coastal seafood and regional cuisine at Tannirbhavi in the evening.
The arrangements are part of the programme surrounding the Cabinet’s visit to Mangaluru.
Khader responds to Hariprasad’s remarks
Asked about Congress leader B K Hariprasad’s remarks concerning Umar Khalid, Khader said the issue had not come before the Cabinet.
He described Hariprasad’s statement as his personal opinion and said he would speak to Hariprasad about the matter.
Khader did not indicate that the issue would form part of the Cabinet’s agenda.
Almost entire Cabinet expected
Khader said almost the entire Cabinet was expected to attend the Mangaluru meeting. He said one or two ministers could be absent because of prior international commitments or responsibilities connected with the Rajya Sabha.
The Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held at Praja Soudha in Padil on September 18. Traffic arrangements and diversions have been announced in view of the movement of the Chief Minister and ministers, with police asking the public to cooperate and avoid parking along designated routes.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to chair the Cabinet meeting from 10 am on September 18. He is also scheduled to travel to Udupi later in the day for a public meeting concerning areas that may be affected by the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations.
Cabinet decisions to follow departmental action
Khader explained the process that would follow decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting.
He said decisions approved and signed by the Chief Minister would subsequently be forwarded to the respective departments, which would prepare action plans for implementation.
According to the minister, proposals involving more than Rs 10 crore would have to return to the Cabinet for final approval.
The September 18 meeting is being held as a special Cabinet sitting in Mangaluru, with the government having said that the coastal region’s development requirements will receive attention.