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INTERVIEW WITH SRI K. JAYAPRAKASH HEGDE
True to
his name and well earned fame, Mr. K. Jayaprakash Hegde became the first
ever minister from Brahmavar Constituency when he was declared elected
by a margin of more than 12,000 votes during the general election held
in the year 1994. During his tenure as minister, he tried his level best
to improve this Brahmavar Constituency in all parameters. He
successfully formed the Udupi District, which was a long pending demand
of the people of this region. He was instrumental in shifting all major
offices to Udupi from Mangalore
and became the first District Minister of this newly formed Udupi
District. He was very
careful in offering promises to the people and whenever he promised
something he took utmost care to see that the promise is fulfilled. For
example, he promised to complete the compound wall between the Church
and the Zilla Panchayath School as a Silver Jubilee Gift to ICYM on 19th
December 2002 and the same was completed within the record time at a
cost of Rs. 2.25 Lakhs and was inaugurated on 26.01.2003.
During the general election held in 1999 he contested as an
independent candidate from Brahmavar Constituency and was elected for
the 2nd time when most of the ministers and even the then Chief Minister
Mr. J. H. Patel got defeated. We, the Barkur.com, are happy to publish an interview with Mr. Hegde, obtained by Mrs. Eugene Quadros and Mrs. Norine Lobo on behalf of Barkur.com.
Q
: Mr. Hegde, on behalf of Barkurians residing all over the world and the
local people we congratulate you for being successful in giving birth to
Udupi District, under your leadership as the Minister.
Quite an accomplishment indeed!
Please tell us what happened to the demand of forming Brahmavar
Taluk. A : Yes,
when I was a Minister, I put forward the wishes of the people before the
ministry and I was successful in forming the new district.
Prior to this, people were expected to go all the way to
Mangalore to meet the D.C. and other officials, but now that all the
offices are being shifted to Udupi the people have certainly benefited.
About the issue of forming Brahmavar Taluk, even though the
demand could not be settled for various reasons, the Government has
agreed to post a Special Tahashildar in Brahmavar for the time being.
However, I would still be pressing demand but we can't say
whether we will succeed or not. Q
: The Constituency you are representing is having vast Coastal Belt,
which can be developed as very attractive tourist spots.
But till now, that is not the case.
What are your plans in mind in this regard, please? A : You
may be knowing that the Mangalore Airport is being improved upon to
facilitate better services and the Malpe and Maravanthe beaches are
being improved as well. I
have met Mrs. Monorama Madhwaraj, who is the President of Karnataka
Tourism Corporation and we want to formulate a master plan wherein, the
historical, or religious places and St. Mary's Island and even forests
may have to be developed to attract and promote tourism.
But the developments made thus far are negligible and involvement
of people and corporations must be encouraged in this particular field
otherwise we may not get any tangible results. Q
: Sir, you are being elected as MLA for the second time from Brahmavar
Constituency. Are you
satisfied with the developmental works taking place at present under
your leadership? A : Of
course, Yes! During my first term as MLA, since I was selected for the
State Ministry, this has helped me a lot in improving the Constituency
to my level best. In
Barkur, during this regime as you know, the road to Bennekudru, and
Hosala have been completed. Drinking water system to Hosala has been
provided. Many vented dams
have been constructed. And
for the 2nd time, since I was elected as an independent candidate, I
could highlight further the problems of this constituency to find and
obtain solutions. Many developmental projects have commenced which are
making good progress. Q
: The general election for the Karnataka Assembly is due during the year
2004. What new projects are
you having in mind and whether you are planning to face the election as
an independent candidate or will you be joining any political party? A :
Still there are projects which are half completed and many roads and
bridges are to be upgraded, and one such road being Barkur -Mandarthi.
Kavadi bridge, and Neelavara dam, and some more.
It helps, if the affected people who have to give up any little
land, cooperate timely. Regarding contesting as an independent
candidate, until the next election I will not join any political party
and I am happy to contest in the Janatha Dal ticket if both the factions
unite and form a common force. Q
: There are rumors that the Brahmavar Constituency will no longer be
there and will be eliminated owing to reorganization of constituencies.
Can you please give us some insider news? A : As
you have heard one assembly constituency will be eliminated in Udupi
District because of reorganization of constituencies bill. The
commission formed for this purpose has not finalized its report, yet.
Once the commission puts out the report, the process of filing the
objections will start. It
is at this moment that we have to start acting and should file the
correct information and I am confident that the commission will consider
the information and make a right decision. Q
: What other plans do you have in mind to further develop Barkur? A : I
have already proposed to upgrade Brahmavar - Jennadi road. When
villages are linked with roads, commerce grows. If the fish from Arabian sea reaches Kavadi/Jennadi after 10
hours, the fish is only good for as manure! Hence, fast transportation
is needed therefore roads are imperative. My agenda is roads, bridges,
water, and roofs! Regarding
providing of drinking water facility to Bennekudru, the project will
complete pretty soon. About
75 families have so far received tiles to upgrade their huts and I do
not want to see a single hut with a tile-less roof in my constituency.
These are doable dreams, long overdue.
Our people do deserve some basic necessities, such a food,
clothing and shelter, and education, and jobs.
We have suffered long enough. Yes,
sir, there are people who do not have to change their roof at all; those
who have no roof above their heads have no such need. There are people who have to change their roofs every year;
thatched roofs. Now with
the tiled roofs, they may have to change the roof once in twenty years
or just the broken ones. But
still, those with concrete/terrace roofs, do not have to change their
roofs at all for a life time.
Why this disparity Mr. Hegde?
This is a rhetoric question please!! We
are happy to appreciate, that those in power, who have the opportunity
to help the community, are really helping, and you are an excellent
example to budding political aspirants.
We do thank you immensely. |
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Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
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Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
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