PILIKULA NISARGA DHAMA (MANGALORE): Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash has indicated that more industries are to come up in Dakshina Kannada and the coastal region, most of them non-polluting units, but this should not alarm environmental organisations as the Government is keen on retaining lung space in industrial areas, cities and towns.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Prakash said the Government is keen on developing bio-reserves in every district. He has found a model in Pilikula Nisarga Dhama and will take initiatives to upgrade facilities here. He has cleared acquisition of 374 acres of land sought by the Pilikula Nisarga Dhama Society. A major portion of the Rs. 6.5 crores which the Government plans to spend on science centres in districts will be granted to the Regional Science Centre at Pilikula, Mr. Prakash said.

Speaking in Mangalore, Mr. Prakash urged electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) to improve their rural reach. He said representatives of farmers have complained that ESCOMs, particularly MESCOM (Mangalore Electricity Supply Company), is continuing to disconnect power connections for non-payment of bills, and this will not be tolerated.

Mr. Prakash said he and Janata Dal (S) H.D. Deve Gowda are certain that the Janata Dal (S) will share power with secular parties in a few zilla panchayats. For the Janata Dal (S), the Congress is a clear choice , he said at Pilikula.

`KIOCL bungled'

Kudremukh Iron Ore Limited (KIOCL) should have accepted the offer of the Government made years ago to take up iron ore mining at Ramanadurga, Mr. Prakash said. The company should focus on finding alternative sites for mining, he added.

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