Mangalore : B.Ramanath Rai, district in-charge minister, hoisted the tri colour flag on the 65th Republic Day celebrations at Nehru Maidan on Sunday, January 26.

Speaking on the occasion he said Government is determined to transform the State into a ‘slum less’ one in this direction it has set a target of constructing 3 lac houses every year. Basava Vasathi, Ambedkar Vasathi, Vajapayee Nagara Vasathi and Indira Avas Yojane schemes are applicable to the beneficiaries. Rs. 75,000 to Rs 1 lac 20,000 grant available to construct houses on this scheme.

India is different languages country, in every state has its own language and culture, India became a republic on January 26, 1950, we are all Indians and we live with integrity, Rai said.

Farmers who use mechanised tillers to grow paddy crops will be provided with a grant-in-aid of Rs.2, 500 per hectare. Rs 20 crore has been released by the Government as grant in aid for fruit rot disease, he said.

The state government provided Anna Bhagya Scheme of distributing rice at Rs 1 for 1 kg. This scheme was implemented last July and the poor are so happy, he said.

Krishi Awards were presented to Elias’ D’ Souza, Purushottam Poojary, Sundari Shetty, Sheena Shetty, Sadashiva Shetty and Sanjeevi Poojarthi.

The vintage car show attracted to the car lovers, about 38 vintage cars and motor-bikes were displayed at the rally.

Kulle Gowda, Tahsildar of Puttur, Subbarao Agali, Shirastedar of DK district court, U D Shekhar, Ivaranadu gram panchayat development officer, Sullia taluk, Hemalatha, warden of Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Belthangady taluk, Malathi from Navoor primary health centre and P K Krishna, were conferred with awards on the occasion.

A.B.Ibrahim, deputy commissioner, Dakshina Kananda District, Prathap Reddy, inspector general of police, Western Range, Shanadi Ajith Kumar Hegde, commissioner, Mangalore City Corporation, R.Hithendra, commissioner, Mangalore City, Koragappa Naik, president, Zilla Panchayat, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, Monappa Bhandary, MLC and Capt.Ganesh Karnik, MLC were present at the celebration.