Scarcity of funds: BJP MLAs to raise voice during legislature session

Udupi: BJP MLAs from Udupi district, V Sunil Kumar, Yashpal Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kiran Kodgi, and Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, have decided to raise issues related to the scarcity of funds for the development of their constituencies during the winter session of the Karnataka Legislature.Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said that no grants were released to any of the five assembly constituencies of Udupi district for development after Congress came to power in the state."District minister Laxmi Hebbalkar held a KDP meeting without knowing the actual problems of the district. We explained in detail various issues that are hampering the progress of the district during the meeting. It was a zero-development review meeting as the Congress govt did not release a single rupee for the development of the district. During his visit to Udupi in Aug last year, the CM promised a grant of Rs 60 crore to the district towards compensation for rain damages. However, no funds have been released yet. Minister Hebbalkar was helpless during the KDP meeting when we asked about the grants," the MLA said.The CM also announced Rs 50 crore to build footbridges in the district, but the minister did not have an answer when we asked about the funds. Official records show that the PWD has made no progress in development work, especially in building roads, bridges, and approach roads to schools. The govt also has not released funds for works to be taken up by the zilla panchayat, the MLA said.