Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 16: Food and civil supplies minister, U T Khader, said that Rahul Gandhi would be visiting the city for the first time after becoming the national president of Congress Party on March 20. "Rahul's wave is sweeping the state already. It is difficult to predict who would be washed away in its force. While 15,000 people will attend this meeting from Mangaluru constituency, 75,000 will come from Dakshina Kannada district," he said, addressing a press conference here on Thursday March 15.

Khader said that meetings were held to ensure that people in general do not face any problems as far as drinking water is concerned during summer months. "In case of shortage of water in residential areas, the local gram panchayat has to supply water through tanker for a week without the need to report the same. If any lethargy is witnessed in providing water promptly, the panchayat development officer and secretary of the panchayat concerned would be held responsible," he warned.

Khader said that wherever the water requirement exceeds over a week, the local water supply engineer and tahsildar should conduct verification and submit report to the deputy commissioner of the district, and that the deputy commissioner would be releasing funds needed to meet emergency drinking water requirement. Towards this end, demand for grant of Rs 50 lac for my constituency has already been submitted," he explained.

The minister said that electronic weighing machines would be installed in Indira Canteens to enable customers to make sure that the weight of food they get conforms to norms. "Weight of three Idlis supplied in the morning should be 150 grams, chutney weight would be 100 grams. In the afternoon, rice, sambar and curd rice is provided. There is demand to add pickles and curry. We will provide pickles. Discussions about curry are on. The prospects of adapting menu that meets Dakshina Kannada food habit is being discussed now," he explained.

He said that for the first time in the state, revenue division level Indira Canteen will be opened at Thokkottu on March 23, noting that so far, they were opened only at district level.

The press conference was attended among others by Bantwal taluk panchayat president, Chandrahas R Karkera, zilla panchayat member, Mamata D S Gatti, and leaders, Sadashiva Ullal, Prashanth Kajava, Padmanabha B Naringana and N S Karim.