Congress will make Island skin show an election issue in Udupi: Poojary

February 8, 2012

Udupi, February 8: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary has said that his party would make the skin show and the flow of liquour and drug at the recently concluded 'Sprink Zouk" festival at the St. Mary's island an issue in the coming by-election to the Udupi-Chikmagalur Loksabaha constituency.

Speaking at a press conferene here on Tuesday, Mr. Poojary also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda for being unable to stop the misdeeds at the island in the name of tourism promotion.

"It was shocking that Mr. Gowda and local MLA Raghupathy Bhat were defending the obscenities after the video clips of the festival was telecast on television channels. "Everyone is agitated over the developments. Mr. Gowda should step down," Mr. Poojary said.

He also questioned the logic of the district administratioin to allow the tourists to say at the beach overnight when nobody is allowed to stay there after 6 pm. "What was the need to give special permission to the festival where drugs and liqour flowed freely," he said.

He also hit out at the deputy commissioner Dr. M.T. Reju for allowing the illegal activities at the island. Taking offence to the Chief Minister's statement defending the revelry by the tourists at the island, Mr. Poojary said: "You (Gowda) cannot fool the people by such misleading statements."

He also asked to know who has benefited from the festival which has fetched only Rs. 5 lakh for the district administration.

He also took umbrage at the so called moral police of the saffron brigade and said the BJP was gearing up for election by raking up emotional issues. "Prabhakar Bhat's speech at Uppinangady and the flag hoisting incident at Sindagi shows that the BJP is now on poll mode."

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DC urges faster land acquisition for industrial growth in Udupi

Agencies

March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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