Udupi: Karnataka emerged as the highest per capita income (PCI) state in the country as the state govt demonstrated its efficiency in financial management to promote economic growth, said Laxmi Hebbalkar, minister of women and child development and in charge of Udupi district.During the 79th Independence Day celebration held at Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium in Ajjarkad on Friday, the minister said Karnataka ranks second in the country in GST collection, which is a clear example of the state’s healthy economic system.Mahatma Gandhi, who led the freedom struggle, visited Udupi and called for the fight for freedom in Ajjarkad. It is an unforgettable event, and the memorial of this event remains permanent in this land, the minister recalled.The minister said approximately 82.57 lakh beneficiaries in the state are receiving direct deposits (DBT) through an Aadhaar-based transfer system every month. For farmers affected by natural calamities, the compensation software was upgraded to provide swift, transparent, and accurate relief directly to their bank accounts without any intermediaries, she added.Stating that the implementation of five guarantee schemes announced during the elections is ongoing, Hebbalkar said that the govt’s performance received praise from experts both domestically and internationally.The proposal to upgrade Udupi City Municipality to a city corporation is under review by the govt, she said.Special attention is being given to developing tourism as a major sector in the district. Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, Udupi Urban Development Authority chairman Dinakar Herur, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, DC Swaroopa TK, ZP CEO Prateek Bayal, SP Hariram Shankar, and others were present.
