Karmika Bhavan May Day gift for M'luru

The long-pending demand for Karmika Bhavan is finally met as the work on three-storeyed building will start soon as a May Day gift (observed on May 1 every year as International Labour Day).

State government’s chief whip in Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza on Monday said that the labour department has approved the plan and has also handed over the work to PWD. Of the total estimate of Rs 4 crore, Rs 2.5 crore will be sanctioned to facilitate the construction work on 100x100 ft site at Kadri Hills. Once the Bhavan is constructed, the office of the labour department will be shifted to the building. The office is functioning from a rented space and the rent of Rs 1 lakh, he added.

With this, Mangaluru will be the seventh city to get a dedicated office complex, that may prove beneficial in honing the skills of various labourers.

Evening polytechnic
D’Souza said an evening polytechnic will be started at Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT) here, with the government giving a go ahead for the authorities concerned. It is expected to start from the current academic year offering courses in electrical and electronics engineering and mechanical engineering.

It will be more helpful in training youth to be job-ready with adequate qualifications at a time when most of the youths whose family lands are acquired by industries, fail in meeting the vocational requirements.

Entrepreneur, textile parks
D’Souza said that he has written to assurances committee of the legislature to open entrepreneur parks and textile parks in each of the four taluks in the district for the benefit of garment workers.

In the wake of drought in Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks in the district, the government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore. It will be utilised for drought relief works, he added.

Daily water soon?
On the drinking water front, MLC Ivan D’Souza said he has held talks with Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha and MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer to explore the possibilities of revoking water rationing and resuming daily water supply.

The officials are expected to take a decision within a week. The condition has improved in the wake of frequent rainfall and also ample storage of water due to rationing.