Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, accompanied by senior government officials, inspected the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner’s office premises at Padil on Sunday as part of preparations for the Karnataka Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held in Mangaluru on September 18.

The inspection was conducted to identify a suitable venue and hall for the meeting, following Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s preference for holding the Cabinet meeting at a government institution.

Cabinet meeting preparations underway

Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Khader said preparations were being made for the Cabinet meeting, which will bring several senior members of the state government to the coastal city.

The meeting is expected to be attended by the Chief Minister, Ministers, the Chief Minister’s advisers, the Finance Secretary and four other senior officials. Additional government officials are likely to participate depending on the subjects listed for discussion.

Khader said the administration was working on arrangements to ensure that the meeting proceeds smoothly and that officials visiting from outside the district are provided with suitable accommodation and other necessary facilities.

He said the visit of senior members of the government would also provide an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the issues and development requirements of the coastal region.

Coastal development proposals to be prepared

The Minister said consultations would be held with local MLAs and other important stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive list of demands and development proposals concerning Dakshina Kannada and the wider coastal region.

The proposals are expected to cover issues and projects requiring the attention of the state government. The list will subsequently be placed before the Cabinet for consideration.

Khader indicated that the exercise would help bring region-specific development requirements directly before the state’s highest decision-making body.

The government is also making arrangements for the stay and other requirements of Ministers and senior officials arriving from outside Dakshina Kannada.

Khader defends CM’s aerial drought survey

Responding to criticism from the Opposition over Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s aerial survey of drought-affected areas by helicopter, Khader defended the decision, saying an aerial assessment could provide a broader picture of the extent of damage.

“Unlike a ground-level inspection, an aerial survey gives a complete picture of the affected area and the damage caused. This is something even a small child can understand,” he said.

Khader urged Opposition parties not to engage in what he described as petty politics over natural disasters and relief measures.

He said the government’s priority was to understand the difficulties being faced by people and take appropriate measures to provide relief.

Calls for cooperation between government and Opposition

Khader said the state government and the Chief Minister were functioning with an open mind and emphasised the need for both the ruling party and the Opposition to work together in the interest of the people.

He said political differences should not come in the way of addressing public concerns and pursuing the development of Karnataka.

The upcoming Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is expected to provide an important platform for discussing issues specific to the coastal region. With consultations planned with elected representatives and stakeholders, several long-pending demands and development proposals are likely to be brought before the Cabinet.

Khader comments on resignation issue

On the issue of resignations on moral grounds concerning Nagendra, Khader said the government had already taken a clear and transparent position.

He maintained that the government remained committed to protecting public interests and addressing issues in accordance with its stated position.

With the September 18 Cabinet meeting approaching, preparations are expected to gather pace in the coming days, including finalisation of the venue, accommodation and other logistical arrangements for the visiting Ministers and senior officials.

Excerpt: Preparations are underway for Karnataka’s Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, with coastal development proposals set to be discussed.

Tags: Karnataka Cabinet meeting Mangaluru September 18, U T Khader Mangaluru Cabinet meeting preparations, Dakshina Kannada development proposals, Karnataka coastal region demands, D K Shivakumar Cabinet meeting Mangaluru

Meta title: Mangaluru to host Karnataka Cabinet meeting on Sept 18

Meta description: U T Khader inspected the DC office in Padil as preparations began for Karnataka’s Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on September 18.