Mangalore, 18 September 2024 – During the state cabinet meeting scheduled in Mangalore, Karnataka Legislative Assembly member Manjunath Bhandary submitted a detailed memorandum to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, seeking the inclusion of a ₹5,000 crore special economic package for the coastal districts and a suite of long‑term development projects.
Bhandary, who also serves as the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted the region’s dependence on fisheries, tourism, higher education and cultural preservation. He asked that the package prioritize modern skill‑development centres for youth, permanent erosion control measures, and immediate financial support for farmers and fishers.
Key proposals listed in the memorandum include upgrading the Brahmavar Agricultural Diploma College in Udupi to a full‑fledged agricultural university, utilizing its 342 acre campus and existing infrastructure worth ₹20 crore, supplemented by an additional ₹10 crore grant and ten contract faculty positions. The same document recommends relocating the current diploma courses to the Kattalageri campus of Davangere University to optimise resources.
Other notable items are the creation of a dedicated fisheries university out of the existing Mangalore Fisheries College, the establishment of a Karnataka Fisheries Council to coordinate sectoral policies, and the construction of a modern aquapark in Mangalore to boost employment and attract investment.
Specific financial measures seek to double the compensation for families of fishers who die at sea from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, raise diesel subsidies for fishing vessels, and install advanced cold‑storage facilities at major fish‑landing centres. A permanent shoreline protection plan based on scientific studies and a modern cold‑storage network are also part of the agenda.
Chief Minister Shivakumar responded by directing the chief secretary to incorporate the highlighted points into the cabinet agenda, signalling government readiness to act on the coastal community’s pressing needs.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK