Pics & News: Harshini

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, May 30: The issues of vented dams and sand extraction dominated the proceedings of the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting on Tuesday May 30 at V S Acharya Auditorium, Manipal.

At the beginning of the KDP meeting, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj felicitated students of Koraga community who scored well in SSLC examination 2017.

As many as 78 students of Koraga community appeared in SSLC exam 2017, out of which 43 secured good marks. 26 students got first class marks, 15 second and two students performed well. Four out of 43 got distinction in the examination.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Madhwaraj said, “The first priority should be given to dig wells and build cow sheds. The government provides Rs 82,000 per well and Rs 42,000 per cowshed under NREGA. These two projects need to be implemented as soon as possible in the district. The concerned department should keep individual target to achieve their goal. The respective panchayats should give enough publicity to get application for this purpose.”

Explaining the slow-paced works, project director said, “The district has just six engineers to take up government construction work. Each engineer has the responsibility of around 20-28 panchayats out of total 158 panchayats. Compared to Dakshina Kannada district which has 26 engineers, we need to hire more engineers. The work gets affected due to lack of personnel.”

Replying to him, minister said that the present engineers should put in extra effort and increase the efficiency of work.

Regarding BPL card, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “Thousands of BPL ration cards have been stuck at printing presses and the records have been misplaced for some. Unless the new BPL cards are printed, the poor will not get any benefits from the government including health issue benefits.”

Speaking about the issue on BPL cards, deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said, “We are conducting an experiment at Karwar regarding the registration process of BPL card. If it is implemented successfully, the same procedure will be adopted throughout the state.”

Food and civil supply department officer said, “Nearly 5940 applications for BPL cards have been received online. Names of 1,07,500 have been deleted due to problem in Aadhar card information.”

Regarding sand extraction, three new sand bars have been opened under non-CRZ for the purpose of government housing and building construction schemes. The blocks will be monitored by Public Work Department, KRIDL and Varahi project department. There is also a provision to use sand from these blocks for Ashraya housing plans.

A-seven member committee has been formed to review sand mining in the district informed the minister.

“The executive engineers of respective sand bars opposed to Demand Draft(DD). Abide by the instruction of the ministry. If anyone complains about sand crisis in the district, I will take serious action against the engineers,” warned the minister.

Disappointed by the responses from the PWD and KRIDL executive engineers, he said, “The government programmes are for the poor. There should not be any complication for them. The programme should be people friendly and should be flexible.”

MLC Pratapchandra Shetty said, “Balkur vented dam built at a cost of Rs one crore was a waste of money and resources. The project failed due to lack of proper maintenance. The wooden planks were put last year at the vented dams to prevent the backward movement of salt water. Instead of protecting the area, the planks emit saline water. We need to think about the purpose of this dam. Before building the dam, the opinions of experts should have been taken.”

Minister Pramod directed assistant commissioner to give title deeds for the families regarding housing sites for four Koraga families of Vandse village in the next KDP meeting and settle the land issue at the earliest.

Shilpa Nagh, assistant commissioner, Kundapur, Dinakar Habu, president, zilla panchayat, Sheela K Shetty, vice president, Sunil Kumar, MLA Karkala, Halady Srinivas Shetty and others were present.