Mangaluru : BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel released for the forthcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections manifesto here on February 11, Thursday.

Construction of vented dams for ground water conservation and recharge is among the promises made by the BJP for the February 20 local body elections in the district.

The manifesto claimed that the party was committed to form public opinion and fight against projects which cause damage to the environment. The manifesto also read that the party would extend the APMC (Agricultural produce Marketing committee) system to the village-level to help farmers in marketing farm produce. The manifesto said that arrangements for free health check-up would be made in government schools.

A ‘conducive atmosphere’ would be created to make those children who have been deprived of education to attend schools, the manifesto stated and added that the party would support eligible candidates writing competitive examinations. However, the manifesto did not elaborate on both the promises.

Other promises include supplying clean drinking water, effective utilisation of the panchayat raj system for implementing crop insurance scheme of the Union government, continued efforts to develop rural roads and efforts to fill up vacant posts in primary health centres.

Referring to the achievements of the party, it said that Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has bagged 19 awards, including State and Union government awards, in the last two years. The manifesto further spoke about the administration of the panchayat led by the BJP. In the last five-year tenure of the panchayat, solid waste management units were constructed in 21 gram panchayats and 6,311 individual toilets were built.

Referring to a few awards received by the panchayat, the manifesto said that it received Rs. 60 lakh in 2010-11, Rs. 25 lakh in 2011-12 and Rs. 50 lakh in 2013-14. The Puttur Taluk Panchayat, led by the party received Rs. 30 lakh in 2010-11.