Mangalore North: MLA marred by allegations, voters seek change

April 29, 2013

Mangalore, April 29: This constituency houses some of the biggest companies of our country yet when it comes to some basic infra structure, the locals here share the problems with some of the most backward villages. While candidates are busy making promises to woo voters, the residents of Surathkal constituency are fed up of their realities and feel that the problems they face will not be solved by any party.

Their immediate target is Krishna J Palemar, who has represented the constituency in the last two terms. While he has been busy projecting concretization of Surathkal roads as a major achievement, lack of basic facilities in rural areas of the constituency has not been paid enough attention to.

Roads in areas have not even been tarred for a long time. People living in Kudumbooru colony have been leading a tough life thanks to lack of proper drainage facilities in the area. Water logging during rains has been a constant problem here.The drainage water discharged from industrial area is also diverted in their area. The area has almost turned into a slum.

These people had sold their properties to KIADB but now it seems there is no one who cares for them. Most of them being illiterate, these innocent people are not aware that they have been deprived of their rights.

An anganwadi to provide education for children has been set up in the colony by some locals themselves. The area still does not possess a primary health care centre or a library. The MLAs have one after the other, provided mere lip service to the people of this colony and done nothing for them.

In Baikampady's Janata Colony and Ashraya Colony, many people have still not received title deeds for their residences. About 80-85 of them have been frequenting to the MLAs office time and again but to no avail.

When asked, incumbent MLA Mr. Palemar gives evasive replies stating that the government had formulated a law to tackle this problem but the Governor refused to give his nod, the locals say. But assurances of provision of title deeds after elections continue to pour in during campaigning, they add.

With allegations of murder looming on his head, Mr. Palemar has more things to worry about. A Mangalore based human rights organization had submitted a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner and the police accusing Mr. Palemar of murdering 8 people to protect his real estate business interests. When asked, the MLA responds by saying “I do not know how to kill even a rat. How can I kill people?”

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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