Mangaluru: "The budgetary allocation to the coastal region include Rs 100 Crore for Pashchima Vahini project, mainly towards construction of vented dams to increase ground water level in the region, particularly to offset the water deficit caused by Yettinahole project. Allocation of Rs 10 Crore towards Cashew Development Board, Beary Study Centre in Manglore University, separate paediatric unit at Wenlock hospital in line with Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, Bengaluru, Rs 10 Crore for Wenlock Hospital upgradation are the other important benefits," said Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo.

Talking of infrastructure, Rs 50 Crore towards development of 2.5 Km road stretch leading to Mangaluru International Airport and acquisition of 286 acre land for the extension of airport and developing basic infrastructure are the noteworthy allocations in the budget, they revealed.

The leader also mentioned about the concerted efforts to start Namma Canteens in all the 67 wards of Mangaluru City Corporation where breakfast will be provided at Rs 5 and lunch at Rs 10. Efforts are on to establish a separate corporation for NRI’s belonging to minority communities and Areca Development Board, they added.

Terming the budget as historic, MLA Lobo said by solving Neera tapping problem, the long standing issue of the coastal region had been solved and thanked the chief minister for allocating separate funds for Indians returning from gulf region unemployed.