Mangaluru: Padmaraj R. Poojary has welcomed the initiatives announced for karnataka coastal development in the latest budget presented by CM Siddaramaiah, stating that the measures recognise the tourism and economic potential of the region.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary said the state government’s decision to prepare a comprehensive coastal tourism development plan would boost tourism and related economic activities in coastal districts.
Referring to the record 17th budget presented by Siddaramaiah, estimated at about ₹4.48 lakh crore, Poojary said the government had attempted to balance popular guarantee schemes with investments in technological and sectoral development.
He welcomed the allocation of ₹10 crore to tackle leaf spot and yellow leaf diseases affecting coconut plantations, a major economic support for the coastal belt. Community-based measures in collaboration with universities, he said, would help both in providing relief to farmers and scientifically preventing the spread of the disease.
Poojary also appreciated the decision to increase the value of fishermen’s kits from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, noting that the move would provide financial support to small-scale fishermen.
The proposed establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Mangaluru, he said, would promote research in sea farming and biotechnology. He added that the construction of a fish market in Bagalkot along with the three coastal districts would facilitate organised marketing of fish products.
Poojary expressed confidence that the approval for a 300-bed hospital in Puttur would improve access to quality healthcare for residents of interior parts of Dakshina Kannada.
He further said the construction of 300 ‘kalusankas’ (small bridges) would ease transportation difficulties faced by schoolchildren and residents in rural areas of the coastal and Malnad regions during the monsoon.
The Congress leader also welcomed the establishment of separate hostels in Mangaluru for SC/ST working women and students from backward classes, saying it would strengthen the city’s role as an educational hub.
Among other measures, Poojary highlighted the provision of loans of up to ₹10 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 4% for members of the Savita community, calling it a step toward financial empowerment of grassroots professionals.
He also welcomed the proposal to set up separate development authorities for the temples of Kukke Subramanya Temple and Kollur Mookambika Temple, stating that the move would improve transparency in tourism and infrastructure management for devotees.
Poojary further appreciated the announcement of the Havyaka Bhasha Academy and the organisation of the cultural programme ‘Janapada Sangama’, describing them as steps to preserve the unique cultural heritage of the coastal region.
Overall, he said the budget attempts to integrate traditional agriculture, modern fisheries and cultural heritage, and welcomed the government’s focus on the development of the coastal belt.