Udupi : Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said politicians in their thirst for blame game and political gain should not misguide innocent people, thereby damaging the reputation of social equality.

Speaking after inaugurating the consumer day programme organised on the theme ‘Healthy Food Rights’ by Zilla Panchayat, in association with Food and Civil Supplies Department, he said the grass root level meetings held to accumulate the public opinion over the recommendations made in the Kasturirangan report through Gram Sabhas, exemplifies the fact that the people in the region are totally mislead and constantly kept under fear. They are ignorant over positive aspects of the recommendations made in the report. The villagers do not differentiate between the former Madhav Gadgil report and the present Kasturirangan report. The propaganda created for political gain is demoralising.

As many as 16 Gram Sabhas held in 16 villages out of 32 villages proposed under the recommendations in the district. He stressed that all have the rights to know what is happening in the surrounding. The democracy upholds the idea of equality and equal rights. Pointing out that the awareness over consumer rights is the need of the hour, he said the public are always the victims of immoral misconceptions. Extensive awareness should be taken up to create awareness over the rights of the people. He added that food right is another important right, which should be made available to even for the last man in the society.

MLA Pramodh Madhawaraj said quality and quantity are the two important aspects, each consumer should keep in mind. Right to clean air, clean drinking water and unadulterated food are very much essential. All these are the basics for healthy life. Expressing his dissatisfaction over the increasing number of patients in the hospitals owing to consumption of impure water and adulterated food.

The MLA added the consumers should be aware of their rights. He added that the State government has ensured rice up to 50 kgs free of cost in order to guarantee the hunger free State.

He added the government has also taken measures to fill the vacant posts in health department like doctors, nurses, X-ray technicians and ANMs and the process would be finalized within six months.

A subordinate legislation committee is formed to take up direct recruitment as against the idea of assigning the responsibility of recruitment to KPSC. He added as many as 10,000 BPL cards are given in Udupi assembly constituency. Out of total 2000 surveyors appointed in State, nearly 19 are recruited in Udupi.