Mangalore : Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development said that Urban development department is very sensitive compared to all other departments. The BJP government was identified for denotification and corruption due to the UD department hence this must be handled in care.

He was addressing the media representatives at ‘Meet the Press’ programme held at Press Club on Sep 17, Tuesday. Minister also said that as per the government census of 2001 and 2012 census, the population have increased to three times in the city, while the population in rural places have decreased to 6 times and the government works to provide basic facilities to the public.

H e also said that the department has appointed seven IAS officials and the lack of staffs have even been seen in Mangalore zone hence the department has sent a proposal to the government to provide the fund of Rs 10,000 crore to fill the vacant posts, he said.

Minister said that the department will launch ‘Innovation for Urban Governance’ council. Through this council, the conference will be held in every corporation to create awareness among the corporators.

The department has also directed every corporation to set up a ward committee and maintain transparency while conducting the ward meeting to be held compulsorily to discuss and inform about the developmental work among the residents, he said.

The government had released the fund of Rs 1500 crore for the KUDCEMP infrastructure, but the work is remaining pending since the amount has been finished. Hence the proposal will be sent to government to sanction additional amount of Rs 500 crore for the completion of remaining work, he informed.

The department will launch the programmes dreams to make Mangalore to a ‘Greater Mangalore’. This has been approved by Ministers Abhaychandra Jain and UT Khader he said.

DKWJU president PB Harish Rai welcomed the gathering and secretary Srinivas Indaje proposed vote of thanks.