Karnataka Cabinet Holds First-Ever Meeting in Mangaluru
The Cabinet meeting comes as part of the state government's continued outreach to the coastal region of Karnataka, with discussions expected to focus on development priorities specific to the area
Mangaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, is to hold its first-ever meeting in Mangaluru on Friday, with cabinet members first offered prayers at the Kadri Manjunatha Temple before proceeding to the meeting.
Karnataka minister H. C. Balakrishna described the meeting as a historic first for the coastal city. "It is history. Nobody has held a cabinet meeting in Mangalore. This is the first time. D. K. Shivakumar wants to develop Mangalore like Bangalore. He has a very good aim to develop this city," he said.
Balakrishna said the government was committed to fulfilling the expectations of the coastal region under the Chief Minister's leadership, with a strong focus on tourism.
"According to our CM's direction, we will do all the things. I think the CM is giving full support to Mangalore to build it very strongly, because it is a tourism hub. So mainly, we are concentrating on tourism," he said.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister K. H. Muniyappa said the Chief Minister was expected to take up key decisions related to coastal development and tourism during the meeting.
"The honourable Chief Minister has decided to take up coastal development and tourism, among other things. He'll decide on important issues in the interest of the coastal area and coastal development," he said.
On priorities within his own department, Muniyappa said the focus remained on strengthening social welfare infrastructure, particularly hostels and residential schools for students from marginalised communities.
"Our department is particularly for social welfare, hostels and residential schools. Priority is given to those from the Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. We have to give good education, quality education that is the motto of the residential schools. Currently, 874 residential schools are running, with a 100 per cent pass percentage and 90 to 95 per cent marks being obtained by students. On that line, we have to bring the weaker sections into the mainstream; that is our motto," he said.
The Cabinet meeting comes as part of the state government's continued outreach to the coastal region of Karnataka, with discussions expected to focus on development priorities specific to the area.