Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 23: Former MLA J R Lobo on Saturday June 23 attacked the central government over the delay in releasing central grants and thereby hindering the development of stage III of Mangaluru fishing harbour.
Addressing a press meet here, J R Lobo said, "Recently a daily newspaper carried an article saying that due to the rift between the central and the state government has stymied the development of stage III of Mangaluru fishing harbour. There is no rift, but it is the central government that is delaying the release of funds for the extension project.
"The foundation stone for the project was laid in the year 2010 and it was supposed to finish by 2015, but due to lack of support from the central government, it was not possible to complete it on time. The estimated cost of this project was Rs 57.60 crore and the central government's share was Rs 43.20 crore, and that of the state government Rs 14.40 crore. Both the then state and central governements sanctioned the funds in 2010.
"However, a case was later filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), after which the project was stopped. In 2017, the NGT disposed off the case and the revised estimated cost was put at Rs 98.26 crore. Prior to the case, Rs 51.89 crore had already been spent on this project, with the state government giving a share of Rs 38.89 crore and the central government pitching in only Rs 13 crore.
"Out of the central government's share of Rs 43.20 crore, only Rs 13 crore has been released. There has been no response so far from the central government to the revised estimated cost of Rs 98.26 crore, which has made it difficult for the state government to move forward with this project," said J R Lobo.
"The National Green Tribunal has revised the estimated cost for which the state government cannot be responsible. Even the central government has some responsibility. The centre has given nothing to the fishing sector and has utterly failed in responding or even showing any concern. The state government has always been there for the fishing sector. We are the only ones to provide diesel subsidy up to Rs 7 to 9 lac for fishing boats. When Pramod Madhwaraj was the minister for fisheries, he approached the central government on several occasions to demand release of funds, and even took delegations, but there was still no response.
"The central government should understand on its own the urgency of releasing the funds. We have coordinated enough with the central government. Once the project is sanctioned there should be automatic release of funds. This project has been hit not because of the rift between the state and the centre but because of the failure of the central government in releasing enough funds for the project," he added.
Congress leaders Kallige Tharnath Shetty, former mayor Mahabala Maarla, corporator Sabitha Misquith and others were present.