Mangaluru: Karnataka State Planning Board Vice-Chairman B J Puttaswamy said that there is a plan to improve connectivity to three important ports of Karnataka- Tadadi, Belekeri and Karwar.
Addressing the reporters after attending and ‘investors workshop’ organised by the Coastal Developmental Authority on Monday, February 10, Puttaswamy informed that discussions on the state budget with various departments would be held from February 12, wherein he would urge the government to reserve more funds to improve road, railway and air connectivity to the three ports.
“If there is good road, railway and air connectivity to these ports, it will help boost import, exports and also tourism. Even though the Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts have a lot of tourism potential, they have not been utilised properly. Hence, there is a need to allocate more funds in the state budget and I will convince the government to do so,” he said.
Meanwhile, he informed about the need to implement skill development programmes at the Panchayat level. “In order to prevent migration of youth from rural areas to urban areas, skill development programmes need to be started at the Panchayat level. Apart from high technical skills, labour skills also need to be improved, in order to undertake scientific farming. During the budget discussion, I will highlight these issues and ask the government to allocate sufficient funds for these programmes, “ he said.
Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde assumes charge as CDA
Earlier, Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde assumed charge as the chairman of the Coastal Development Authority (CDA). After assuming charge, Hegde said that he would strive hard to initiate several development projects for the welfare of three coastal districts Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. He also urged Additional Chief Secretary of State Dr Shalini Rajaneesh and B J Puttaswamy to allocate at least Rs 100 crores for the development of coastal districts.
Dr Shalini Rajaneesh, while addressing the gathering, informed that the a study report ‘Economic development assessment for coastal districts’ conducted by Deloitte will be put before the government during the discussion on budget allocation.
Prior to the programme, officials from Deloitte gave detailed information about what are the major projects that need to be highlighted for the economic development of the coastal districts.
Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, Udupi district Chief Executive Officer Preeti Gehlot, CDA secretary Pradeep D’Souza and others were present.
