Coastal Board seeks sufficient budgetary grants for the region

The Karnataka Coastal Development Board on Wednesday, February 18, urged the State government to earmark sufficient budgetary allocation for the development of the coastal region.

Board chairman M.A. Gafoor submitted a memorandum to this effect to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, through Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who was on a visit to Mangaluru.

He also sought administrative approvals for various projects, policies and infrastructure development for the comprehensive development of the three districts of Coastal Karnataka, namely Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. The memorandum sought allocation of necessary funds in the state budget for the comprehensive development of the three districts.

It mentioned various important issues, including the improvement of the Coastal Control Zone (CCZ), port and fisheries infrastructure, comprehensive beach development, water transport, strengthening of the agriculture and health sectors, and road and connectivity development.

Mr. Gafoor also demanded strengthening the Board as the nodal agency for the comprehensive development of the region, formulating a phased implementation schedule for major projects and providing a special grant package to each coastal district.

Former minister B. Ramanath Rai and others were present.