“Nothing could be more disrespectful to the Constitution than disrupting the fruitful running of the parliament. And the opposition which seeks to derail the progress of our country hijacked the parliament session with their histrionics, without realising that the people of Bharat are watching them,” said Captain Brijesh Chowta, speaking at a post winter-session press conference held in Mangalore today.
At a media address titled ‘Samsadarondige Sansattina Samvada’, that he said will be a regular affair post every Loksabha session from here on, MP Captain Brijesh Chowta summarised his activities during the Winter session, including the questions raised, issues brought up and meetings held with concerned ministers and officials regarding various developmental activities of the constituency.
“After every session, I would like to meet all our media friends and have a discussion about the efforts we made for I am a voice of the people and so are the press. I believe we can together make the change we wish to see in our Mangaluru and this is an effort in that direction,” he said.
In the Winter session that saw 20 sittings of the Loksabha between 25 November and 20 December 2024, Captain Brijesh Chowta raised 19 questions to various ministers, the responses to which highlighted the various issues of Dakshina Kannada, measures being taken to address them as well as the lapses therein, including pending action and lack of support from the state government for the execution of various central schemes.
Questions raised and the responses received include (Complete List shared via Link)
Impact of Coastal Erosion and sea-level rise on the coastal region og Karnataka and Dakshina Kannada (detailed response attached)
Progress of the smart city works undertaken in Mangalore – a response to which revealed that 93 projects amounting to Rs 2429 crore have been completed and 12 projects amounting to Rs 144 crore are at implementation state in Mangalore
Various efforts being made under Khelo India to increase the medal tally at the Olympics and if the govt plans to setup any new Khelo India centres in the constituency and state – a response to which, among others revealed that there are a total of 115 athletes being trained and at present there is one KIC in Mangala Stadium, Mangalore
Cruise Tourism and plans to promote the same – a response to which revealed that, sadly, Mangalore port despite being one of the six major ports to have a cruise terminal, but we don’t appear in the list of ports where projects are currently sanctioned for infrastructure development under the scheme of assistance to central agencies. This gives us scope to try and work towards enabling the same and enhance the prospects of cruise tourism at Mangalore.
Tunnels planned for construction – and if any plans in the pipeline for such on the Bangalore Mangalore stretch to bypass the Shiradi ghat section.
High capacity rail line between Mangalore Bangalore as well
I also had an opportunity to raise the same in the house, when I spoke about the challenges in the Mnaglaore Bangalore Rail line and the administrative issues of the SPV HMRDL, where I sought the ministry’s proposal to address the issues of the Ghat stretch and the progress of the feasibility study being undertaken for the same, and if there is any proposal to shift the Mangalore city limit (both our railways stations) to be shifted to the South Western Railway (from the current southern railway) for better management and efficiency.
Others include Textile Park in Mangalore, Renovation of Mangaladevi Temple which is an ASI protected monument, PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0
The response to the question regarding the PMAY-U 2.0 revealed that Karnataka government has not signed the MoA with the Ministry while 29 states/UTs have already done so. That being the case, I also urged our MLAs to raise the issue in the Karnataka assembly and nudge the state government to facilitate the implementation of the Central Schemes for the welfare of our people and development of our region.
The response to the question regarding the impact of Blue revolution in the last ten years and the steps taken to upgrade fisheries infrastructure, protect marine ecosystem, safeguard the interests of the fisherfolk community among others revealed that there has been a substantial impact on the fisheries sector in the district over the last ten years. (Refer response attached)
Response to the question regarding the coastline erosion highlighted the alarming situation of our declining coastline, especially in Dakshina Kannada. One on addressing the issues of the fisheries sector revealed there is no area suitable for seaweed cultivation in Dakshina Kannada, while 1579 ha covering 14 locations identified by ICAR for the same are mostly in Uttara Kannada; it also highlighted that there is no proposal for establishing a separate fisheries university in Mangalore.
Alongwith drawing attention to an array of issues and efforts through the parliament questions and answers, Captain Brijesh Chowta also met various union ministers and sought their cooperation to address various issues including some long pending ones like the merger of Konkan railways. These include
Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance Smt Nirmala Sitharaman to whom we presented a letter seeking her support & guidance for key projects that can fast-track the progress of Mangalore.Key proposals include the speeding up of the launch of the Indian Coast Guard Academy, the set of a premier Banking & Finance Institution, hosting Global Capacity Centres and the merger of the Konkan Railways
Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnav and submitted a letter & discussed various concerns pertaining to the crucial railway infrastructure development of our regions & sought the intervention & support of our Hon’ble Minister for issues pertaining to the merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways, Hassan Mangalore Rail Development Company including doubling of tracks between the two cities that is crucial for better rail connectivity between our region & capital city Bengaluru, enhanced passenger facilities on rail routes of our region, Subramanya Mangalore passenger rail and reorganisation of Mangalore Railways administration.
Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Discussed pressing issues faced by farmers in Dakshina Kannada; especially Areca farmers who are distraught by the complete destruction of crop each season due to the eaf spot disease and yellow leaf disease among others. I also sought the support and assistance of Hon’ble Minister to encourage coffee cultivation as an alternative & for provision of institutional support, technical guidance, subsidies, and access to quality saplings to facilitate it. Also drew his attention to a project proposal that has been submitted for the implementation of integrated pest management, farmer training, and research into disease-resistant varieties.
Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport Shri Nitin Gadkari regarding various road connectivity issues including the Shiradi Ghat stretch, Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu to request for the grant of Point Of Call status and extension of our Mangaluru Airport as well as facilitation of additional flight routes.
Also met senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism and submitted the letter & impressed upon her the need for the development of Puttur Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple under the PRASHAD scheme as well as to opportunity to implement the SASCI scheme (Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment).
But as a first time MP, it is truly disappointing to see the house adjourned every other day for it hampers both the progress of the nation as well as denies us an opportunity to be much more active and productive contributors to the democratic process. The opposition led by a leader who doesn’t have a basic sense of decorum while expressing dissent or disagreement is bringing a bad name to the the institution of a parliament which is essentially to enable democracy not derail it.
It is sad that in the 75th anniversary of our constitution the Congress is still not halting insulting this sacred document of the world’s largest democracy and its chief architect. It shows their desperation to derail the development of Bharat that is on a fast-track now under the leadership of our PM Shri Narendra Modi.
Being out of power at the centre for the third time around is something that is making them so disruptive and desperate but they better make peace with it for their era has ended.
Congress bullied the nation always since dynastic dictatorship runs in their veins but not anymore. This is New India that has decided Development is the way – Inclusive Development, Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – they push around a North East Tribal MP while our BJP govt ensures a tribal woman is the President of India. This is what sets us apart from them. They destroy, disrupt, disable, while led by PM Modi we envison, empower enable.