Newskarnataka – Exclusive
Jayaprakash Hegde, MP and Congress candidate of Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency had an exclusive telephonic interview with NewsKarnataka correspondent Sheeja Moodubelle regarding upcoming Lok Sabha polls. “Whoever may be my opposition candidate, I don’t consider them weak. Underestimating any candidate is dangerous,” said Hegde.
“I am not sure about the opposition candidates, however I am prepared for the upcoming Loksabha election,” he struck a note of optimism.
“I have not stopped working since the day I have won and even when I lost I have strived and worked for the welfare and development of the constituency and I will continue to do the same,” he added.
He said that he has been successful in sanctioning plenty of projects from the government of India as well as got sanctioned grants from the state government for various projects since he elected as MP, two years ago. On cross-questioning he asserted that some of them have been implemented whereas others are in the process of implementation.
Adding to the details he said, “I am satisfied with the work done during my tenure. To name a few such as the civil aviation project, railway projects, national highway , PM Sadak Yojana and few amendments in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).”
On the party’s strategies for the upcoming election, Hegde said that he has to continue the work that he is doing and rest it is up to the people to decide.
“I am preparing for the examination wherein the public will take ultimate decision,” Hegde said in a lighter vein.
“All I am going to do is express my urge for welfare and speak about the development work that I have initiated in the region,” he added.
Issues related to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ):
In context to CRZ, he said that the government has been successful in making some amendments. He informed that earlier the central government had declared the coastal stretches of seas, which is influenced by the tidal action (in the landward side) upto 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) whereas now it has been reduced to 200 metres from the HTL for the construction of houses.
He also said all elected leaders have plans to meet Union Environment and Forests Minister M Veerappa Moily seeking some positive changes in the CRZ Norms.
On reviving Brahmavar Sugar Factory:
Hegde said, “Using Rs 12 crore, our government was successful in clearing the salaries of workers and dues of farmers. However, regarding the payment to the cooperative societies, there are plans to seek more funds from the government.”
He stated that the state government was giving priority to accelerating the Varahi irrigation project in the district to give a fillip to agriculture. He informed that he has already held three meetings on the issue with ministers for irrigation and forests and environment in Bangalore.
When asked about the problems of the arecanut farmers in the district, he said that the farmers have incurred heavy losses due to the ‘Kole Roga’ or Mahali disease affecting their arecanut plantations. Hence, the government had released Rs 3.5 crore as relief to these farmers in the first phase, he added.
Development on NH 66:
“Centre and the officials are interested in the work on widening NH 66, which had stopped for a few months in the district. Union Minister for Surface Transport Oscar Fernandes has given me the responsibility to sort out the problems and finish the work at the earliest, thus we are trying our level best to finish the project,” he said.
Major problem at Chikmagalur:
Hegde explained that geographically, it has two parts, which is wet area-Malanadu and dry area towards is Rayalaseema. Major problem faced by the people here is scarcity water for both drinking and agriculture. He said, “I have done my level best to fulfill their water need up to certain level.”
Lastly, he said that the agenda for the election would be, “To go to the people and tell them what I have done and my vision of development for the future.”
About Jayaprakash Hegde:
Jayaprakash Hegde was born at Kundapur taluk in Udupi district. He is a practicing advocate, who entered in politics at very early age in his life. He has been elected thrice for the Karnataka legislative assembly from the Brahmavara constituency and served as minister holding various portfolios.
In year 2009, he contested unsuccessfully from the Udupi-Chikmagalur (Lok Sabha constituency) for the Indian general election, 2009 on an Indian National Congress ticket. Hegde was elected to Lok Sabha from the same constituency following a election in year 2012.