Political class has failed to realise full growth potential of coastal region, says MP

When the whole world is looking with interest at Mangaluru and other parts of Karavali (coastal) region and making investment, it is wrong to project the coastal region in poor light with preconceived notions. This should stop, said Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta, in Mangaluru on Friday.

Indirectly referring to IT and BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge’s recent statement that there is negative investment climate in Mangaluru-Udupi-Manipal region due to communal tension and religious narratives in the coastal belt, Captain Chowta said the Karavali region is known for entrepreneurship. This is the only port city in the State and has good potential for growth and development. “Those in the helm of affairs in State should understand this.”

Speaking at the inauguration of nine-day national SARAS (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) Mela where products of women Self-Help Groups will be sold, the MP said, “The political class has failed to realise the growth potential of the Karavali region. It is our responsibility to make full use of the growth potential of this region.”

While asking people in the helm of affairs to stop giving a wrong picture about Dakshina Kannada, the MP said, “When the coastal belt is being projected in poor light, it is our responsibility to give the correct picture”. By keeping politics and political differences away, people of Karnataka should stand with Karavali and foster development in the region, the MP said. He lauded Karnataka Rural Livelihood Mission for holding SARAS Mela, a concept mooted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in Mangaluru.

Mangaluru City South MLA D.Vedavyas Kamath criticised the Karnataka Rural Livelihood Mission for not displaying photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan for the event. The programme is being conducted under the National Rural Livelihood Mission for which Union government contributes 60 per cent while the remaining 40 per cent is shared from the State. The contribution of the Central Government should have been rightly acknowledged, he said.