‘Rs 15 Cr New Abattoir was Only a Proposal Made-Will Write to PM Seeking Permission’- U T Khader
Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Circuit House District in-charge minister U T Khader said, “I had only proposed to the Mangalore Smart City Project Ltd., a Special Purpose Vehicle, to take up the abattoir modernization project with an intention to have a hygienic and clean environment for animal slaughter at Kudroli, the only authorized one in Mangaluru. The sole intention behind this suggestion was to have a better system for disposing of animal waste. Lack of such a system is affecting people residing nearby and also polluting our waters. The board of Mangalore Smart City Limited, which includes Mayor Bhaskar K Moily, one Leader of the Opposition Party and six councillors of the Mangaluru City Corporation, discussed my suggestion and proposed the Rs 15-crore project for having, among others, a solid waste treatment plant and other facilities at the abattoir”.
“Except for opposition for grants for a park, there was no opposition in the board, which includes councillors from the Bharatiya Janata Party, to other proposals, including the one for the abattoir. The proposal made by me regarding the abattoir is now before the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for approval. If they are really serious, let MP Nalin Kateel and BJP MLAs write to the Union Ministry and get the proposal rejected, but let them not unnecessarily politicize the issue. They have so far not written to him or members of the board on this issue. Accusing me unnecessarily is not good. I ask MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and other BJP MLAs who are opposing the proposed modernization of the Kudroli abattoir under the Smart City Project to approach the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and get it cancelled. I dare they do it” added Khader.
He further said, “With an intention of keeping Mangaluru clean and also about hygiene issues, I had made a proposal to construct an abattoir/slaughterhouse in the place of the existing slaughterhouse ion Kudroli, which would cost around Rs 15 crore. But quickly BJP leaders and a few saffron organizations raised allegation against me, criticized me, and what not. I was deeply hurt by all these allegations and protests, especially allegations made by elected BJP leaders. It was only a proposal that I had made, and it is left to the Centre to make the final decision. In the meantime, I am writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union urban development minister Hardeep Singh Puri seeking okay for the abattoir and clarification in regard to the abattoir issue. In the letter, I have also mentioned if there is any chance of inclusion cow shelter (Goshala) as per the guidelines of Smart City project”.
Speaking further on land conversion, revenue and Adalat, Khader said, “We have been facing quite a number issues with regard to conversion of land and revenue. Several problems are seen with regard to conversion and revenue issues. It is not the revenue sketch issue, but it is the RTC problem. People buy the land taking the word of the seller, and later face consequences when the actual property dealing is done. A meeting had been arranged recently with revenue minister and urban development secretary in this regard. In order to rectify the issues, we have also decided to hold Revenue Adalat on 12 November 2018 at in the office located inside DC complex. The Deputy Commissioner is also informed to conduct the Taluk level Adalat in the presence of local Tasildhar and surveyor to solve some of the minor issues in regard to revenue and conversion before the forthcoming revenue Adalat”
