MP Nalin's contribution for DK dist development is nil, claims Cong spokesperson

Mangaluru: Claiming that Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kateel had made a nil contribution for the development of Mangaluru, district Congress spokesperson A C Vinayraj challenged him to prove his contribution if any by releasing documents substantiating the same, to the media.

He was speaking at a press conference held here on Saturday, December 29.

Citing example of Balpa village in Sullia taluk here, which was adopted by DK MP Nalin Kumar Kateel under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pet Sansad’s Adarsh Gram Yojna (SAGY), in the year 2014, Vinayraj  said that so far only a sum of Rs 90 lakhs was spent for developmental works in the village, which even now is far from being an ‘ideal village’ as it continues to lack the basic amenities like drinking water, road connectivity, electricity connection etc.

He questioned the ability of the MP to bring development works in the whole of his Lok Sabha constituency when he could not do so in the village adopted him.

Further Vinayraj claimed that Kateel has been making tall claims of securing Rs 14,000 crore to the district but never submitted any proof for same.

In the past nine and half years that he has been serving as the MP, Kateel has not secured any additional grant over and above the Rs 5 crore that he gets under  the MPLAD Funds, he added.

Vinayraj questioned Kateel’s silence towards the moves of the Union government to privatise the NMPT and Mangaluru International Airport. The  Pumpwell, Thokkottu flyover projects are proceeding at a snail’s pace, even the  BC Road-Gundia NH four-laning project initiated during the erstwhile UPA rule has come to a halt, he complained.

District Youth Congress President Mithun Rai, Ramananda Poojary, Nazeer  Bajal and others were present on the occasion.