Mangaluru: The Union Government’s Smart City Project is a ‘bogus’ project aimed at favouring the private companies, said MLC Ivan D’Souza, addressing the reporters on Friday, October 12th.
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“Big projects should have been taken under the smart city project instead of taking small projects like bus stand, footpath, streetlamp, toilet among others. Almost Rs 2,500 crore has been earmarked for the projects under the smart city project, of which around 50% amount is contributed by the state government itself. However, elected representatives have been ignored as all projects are undertaken without the notice of elected representatives,” said the MLC.
BJP politicizing slaughterhouse issue
Mr D’Souza supported the District-in-charge minister U T Khader on the issue of modernizing the slaughterhouse at the cost of Rs 15 crore under the Smart City project.
“The central government, under its ‘Swacch Bharat’ scheme, had planned to modernize the slaughterhouse. However, with the introduction of the Smart City project, the plan was scrapped. The BJP is opposing this project only to politicize the issue,” said the MLC.
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DK ranks second in tapping solar energy
Dakshina Kannada (DK) district has been ranked second in the state in tapping solar energy with the help of solar panels mounted on rooftops. 177 solar rooftop units have been installed in Mangaluru and they generate 1,641 Kw of energy, informed the MLC.
“There is a plan to make DK district a solar district and efforts are in progress in this regard. All government departments, educational institutions and commercial establishments should install solar panels. The gram panchayats should come forward to assist those who install solar panels. An installation committee under the leadership of the deputy commissioner of the district must ber created,” said Mr Ivan.
“I have spoken to Mangaluru Police Commissioner and SP to install solar panels in all the police stations in the district. Even the department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj had taken a decision to install solar rooftop panels in all offices of gram panchayats in the state,” the MLC added.
A week after application, loans to be released
“Earlier banks refused to release loans for installing solar panels. However, they have now agreed to release the loans within a week of applying for the loan. The government has also instructed all the banks to provide publicity to the scheme,” informed the MLC.
