Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, asked the deputy commissioner (DC) of the district to hold in-depth inquiry into allegations of sale of houses sanctioned under Indira Awas and Basava Vasati housing schemes of the central government in the district. Noting that the beneficiaries of these schemes are expected to reside in these houses, he directed the DC to forward a copy of the investigation report to him.

Expressing his displeasure at the tardy implementation of various central government-funded schemes and failure of the departments to ensure that poor households are given the benefit of the central government's Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Programme after presiding over a district level review meeting held at Netravati Hall of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, he pointed out there is information of the same person having been allotted two houses under government schemes, and sale of one of them by the concerned. He wanted the officials to act fast, as he is answerable to the central government on effective implementation of central government schemes.

Zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Tulasi Maddineni, said that she has received complaint about sale of such houses in Beltangady taluk. She added that local MLA has information about this activity. She asked the officials concerned to register cases against erring beneficiaries.

Zillal panchayat vice president, Satish Kumpala, registered objection about the fact that a contractor named Sai Sudhir, who had been blacklisted once relating to multi-village drinking water supply scheme, has been allotted contract work again. The concerned officer explained that the work had to be given to him as no one else came forward to take up the work on contract.

Nalin also questioned the rules under which humps were erected on national highway. 'As per the Supreme Court directive, humps cannot be erected on national highways. In the previous meeting, instructions were given to remove them. What steps have been taken to implement this?' he wanted to know. National highways department official, Hanif, said that estimate for clearance of humps is yet to be prepared.