Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 2: The observation that a certain anganwadys were not included for renovation work, threat to resign from membership, absence of official who was assigned to explain the acquisition of land meant for school and delay on receipt of report were some of the issues that created anguish among members during the nineteenth taluk panchayat meeting held at Kundapur on Wednesday October 31.

The officials have not conducted survey of the land for some anganwadys meant to be renovated within the allotted Rs 10 lac. The eligible anganwadys have not been identified for the work, said some members. The members complained that Moodlakatte anganwady center, Kirimanjeshwar anganwady, Kolkere anganwady and Shirur anganwady centres were not included in the project.
 
Senior member Kedoor Sadananda Shetty, who dismissed the allegation that only the department of women and child welfare was responsible for the lapse, said that it is the decision of the committee under CDPI. "They have only given a report. The committee has not been partial but has selected the work on priority and has been cent percent transparent," he said.
 
The members who did not agree, continued the argument. Anganwady is functioning in a room of Kirimanjeshwar school but it was known already, said Mahendra Kumar. Bhaskar Billava said that the Moodlakatte anganwady is on the verge of collapse. When such arguments were going on, Sadananda Shetty said that if the decision of the committee is not agreeable, it was better to dissolve it. "I cannot bear allegations and I will resign," he said.

Shanker Shetty tried to pacify Kedoor and said that they would cooperate for approval instead of cancellation and came for a compromise. However, as the members were dissatisfied, four anganwadys were decided to be made part of the project.
 
Though there were arguments in the Chowkulamakki school of Byndoor education zone, education officials did not come till 2 pm. Vice president Hemavati expressed anguish asking whether there was no value for the problems of the children. "When children insisted that they want only their teachers, where are the concerned till 2 pm? Is this the interest shown by the department?" she questioned.
 
The absence of the official who should have reported the development of Kosakote school was criticized at the meeting. The complaint of acquisition of school land was heard during the last two meetings. Member Gauri Devadiga said that officials are helping the land grabbers. "As per Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993 section 143, though I tried to explain the matter, the absence of the officials is depressing," she said.
 
Tahsildar A C Nayak who spoke on the matter said assistant commissioner has inspected the spot. Five people have occupied the land and started developing it. The matter should be decided in the A C Court, he said.
 
Kedoor Sadananda Shetty spoke and said that the school was formed in 1984. The illegal occupants have been given patta in 2004. The school is left with 18 cents only. 6 acres of land is taken over by the rich and influential people. The officials are responsible for this lapse. He lamented if A C who should protect law, remains absent discarding rules how can we get justice? It is not proper to ignore Taluk panchayat papers. He could atleast give a reason for the absence, he said.
 
As many as 12,000 applications have been received for new BPL cards, and 1500 applications for APL cards, said the tahsildar. In Shiroor 50 ration card holders are not getting ration. There is information that their ration goes elsewhere, said Savithri Alvegadde. 45 card holders in Heroor grama have not got ration not even old card holders, said Heroor grama panchayat president Srinivasa Poojary.
 
Navin Chandra Shetty objected to blocking of houses by Rajiv Gandhi housing corporation. He said that only three fourth of the work has been completed and the beneficiaries are stuck. The matter should be set right soon, he said. Pradeep Kumar Shetty and Prasanna Kumar joined him.
 
Manju Billava urged for Kerosene oil for the fishermen and said the fishermen should not be put to hardship during fishing season.

To a question of how many gram panchayats have completed statutory audit during the last three years, officials said that 27 gram panchayat in 2011-12 and 13 gram panchayat accounts in 2012-13 have been audited. Kedur Sadananda Shetty said that statutory audit is mandatory. If no audit is done for the last three years and if there is a fraud, who will make good the loss, He asked. There can be misuse of power. The chief secretary of the state should be informed about it, he said.
 
Deepika Shetty, taluk panchayat president presided over the meeting. Vice-president Hemavati Poojary, taluk panchayat executive officer Gopala Shetty and tahsildar Gayatri Nayak were present.