Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, Mar 23: “Petrol should be sold at the rate of Rs 200 in separate counters to patriots who say that the rise of petrol and diesel prices is for the welfare of the country. Let them buy the fuel at those rates if they are real patriots,” challenged former Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake.
He was addressing media at Udupi press club regarding Kaup north zone block Congress committee’s ‘Janadhwani’ protest rally. He said, “Kaup north zone block Congress committee will hold ‘Janadhwani’ protest rally which will be a foot march on March 25 from Perdoor to 80 Badagubettu to create awareness of the anti-people policies of the central and state governments. The rally will start at 9.30 am covering a distance of 16 kilometres proceeding via Hiriadka-Parkala-80 Badagubettu and will conclude in front of Badagubettu panchayat office at 5 pm.
“Amendments made to APMC Act, Land Reforms Act, Labour Act, Electricity Act and Essential Commodities Act are anti-people. The prices of petrol and diesel have increased due to government cess. It has increased the cost of transport, prices of essential commodities, cement and steel without control. Some of the items are removed from the list of essential commodities. As raids against hoarding are not possible, it has created artificial scarcity. The demand to include oil prices under GST has become only a dream. The recent policy of discarding old vehicles as junk is aimed to make vehicle companies prosper. Poor vehicle owners are badly affected by it. There is a ban on stone crushers. Improper implementation of sand policy has made construction workers jobless.
“The government at the centre is selling several government owned organizations that were started by the Congress during the last 60 years. LIC, Railway stations, banks, more than 100 government and semi government organizations are being privatized. It is a failure of the government. Thousands of people will lose their jobs because of them. People are realizing slowly that the policies of the government are going to be disastrous for them. It is the duty of Congress to create awareness among the people and show to them the direction to which the government is heading.
“Financial irregularities of Rs 40 crore have occurred in the name of dredging in Swarna river. The direction of Varahi drinking water project has changed. The rally will be held condemning the rampant corruption in the government,” he said.
Speaking on the central government, Sorake said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi who did not respond properly even after uninterrupted protests by farmers for the last 110 days, will tweet on all other subjects.”
Responding to the allegation of Udupi BJP district president that cracks have developed in Congress, he said, “Everyone in the Congress are united. But there are several groups in the BJP such as Lalaji Mendon, Yashpal Suvarna, Suresh Shetty Gurme, Kuilady Suresh Nayak, Mattar Rathnaker Hegde etc. They do not see each other and speak,” he said wryly.
Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president district Congress committee Udupi, Harish Kini, chief secretary, Nagesh Udyavar, Congress’ Pravin Shetty Korangrapadi, president of Kaup north block Congress committee and others were present.