Karnataka - Udupi   

Power generation: Fernandes to hold talk with companies

Staff Correspondent

Protest mars consultation meeting

UDUPI: George Fernandes, former Defence Minister, said here on Wednesday that he will hold talks with three top private and public sector power companies to discuss the issue of power generation in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

He was speaking at a consultation meeting to promote industrial progress in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts organised by Jaya Sri Krishna Parisara Premi Samiti.

Mr. Fernandes said the country is facing a severe power crisis. Though it is necessary to solve the power crisis, it is also essential to study the feasibility of power projects. It is necessary to prepare a blueprint which will facilitate the establishment of environment-friendly industries in the two districts, he added.

He said that such industries should also generate employment. There are nearly four crore unemployed youth in the country. Unemployment is one of the causes for the spread of the naxalite movement, he added.

He noted that there was opposition from some quarters when he initiated the Konkan Railway project. But today, the fruits are there for all to see.

The Bajpe airport near Mangalore should be upgraded into an international airport, Mr. Fernandes said. The Chairman of the State Minorities Commission, K.S.M. Masood, said a special industrial zone should be set up to prevent migration of talented professionals from the two districts.

B.M. Hegde, former Vice-Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, delivered the introductory remarks. Harikrishna Punarur, former president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, and S.N. Shanbhag, former Director of the Fisheries College, spoke.

Protest

The consultation meeting was marred by protests by activists of Nandikur Janjagriti Samiti and other environmental organisations, which are opposed to the setting up of coal-based thermal power projects in Udupi district.

Manorama Madhwaraj, MP; the President of the Janata Dal (Secular) district unit, Deviprasad Shetty; and Lakshman Shetty, president of the Nandikur Janajagriti Samiti, said the meeting should not approve the establishment of a coal-based power project by Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd.

Ms. Madhwaraj, Mr. Lakshman Shetty and Mr. Deviprasad Shetty, who walked out of the consultation meeting, addressed a meeting of protesters outside the hall.

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