Stany Bela
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jan 29: After Daijiworld published an article on government apathy on the Pavoor Uliya Island and our timely follow-up, the administration has woken up. After decades of inaction, the delegation of the district administration visited the island and responded to the woes of Pavoor Uliya residents on Tuesday, January 29.
Ivan D Souza, MLC and parliamentary secretary, Ravichandra Nayak, assistant commissioner, Ravi Naik, police inspector,Konaje, Monu, president, Bantwal taluk panchayat, Firoz, president, grama panchayat, Vivek Rai, ward member and other officials were the part of delegation.
Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangaluru, Anil Lobo, chairman MCC Bank, Rolphy D’Costa, president, Catholic Sabha, central committee, Stany Lobo, president, Catholic Sabha, Bantwal region and Catholic Sabha members from various parts of the district were also present.
Fr Jerald Lobo, parish priest, Infant Jesus Church, welcomed the officials and representatives. Introducing the island, he said, "Some months back Daijiworld team landed here and wrote about the woes of people and about government apathy which has been continuing for the past sixty years and the outer world came to about it. After that other media also showed special interest on people of this island and they published the negligence of government on this island. Pavoor Uliya Island which is situated just 12 kilometers away from proposed Smart City Mangaluru, is without connectivity. The island surrounded by the Netravati River, has 52 houses, a church and a government school that was shut down recently. The only mode of transport for the residents to reach the mainland is the boat,”
“During summer, a temporary wooden bridge is installed. However, during the rainy season, one needs to take a boat to get off this island to go to school, work or for other daily activities. There are no street lights, no shops and no medical assistance available in this island. Hence, the residents have to depend totally upon either Mangaluru city or Adyar or Farangipet. Illegal sand mining is another major threat for the residents. Due to rampant sand mining and other ecological imbalance, fishing activity has reduced and residents are forced to take up alternative jobs outside the island. Though they live surrounded by water, they do not have water for consumption. Only one well situated adjacent to church provides drinking water for the entire village." Fr Jerald informed.
In the conclusion part he stressed for a permanent bridge and complete ban on sand mining in the surrounding areas.
In his speech Dr Peter Paul asked officials to provide the facilities which are very necessary for them. He appreciated the unity of locals and he suggested them to be united and fight for felicities which are the rights of citizens. He also hailed the intervention of Catholic Sabha in the issues of Pavoor Uliya residents. He appealed for a co-ordination between the departments on the issues of Pavoor Uliya and he emphasized on need for saving he island.
In his reply to the priest and residents, MLC Ivan D Souza said "It is very sad to know no governmental departments turned up in this island. The demands of the residents are very genuine. Rs 1 crore was sanctioned once for the construction of bridge. But as per my knowledge, it lapsed due to some political tussle. Taluk and local panchayats should take this issue seriously and try to find a solution immediately. I will speak with tourism department officials and will try to find a solution,” He also ordered the officials to arrange a meeting with department of geology and mining , police and district administration along with locals based on the written report of assistant commissioner.
Hearing the issues from locals, Ravichandra Nayak , assistant commissioner, said "Once in every fifteen days the officials are conducting raid to nab the illegal sand extractors. The shortage of staff and equipments for raid is a challenge for us. I will submit a written report to deputy commisioner for further actions."
Ravi Naik, sub- inspector openly expressed his helplessness on nabbing the illegal sand extractors. He also requested to the locals to provide a boat for the purpose of raid on illegal sand mining. He also said that police do not have direct authority to raid the mining because it comes under department of mining and geology.
“The island Pavoor Uliya should be saved. It is an issue of existence for more than fifty families. They are neglected from past many years. After the media published the story of Pavoor Uliya, now there is some response. The residents are in trouble. Sand mafia have made their life a nightmare . Government should come to their rescue now and make their life tension-free,” Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said.
The government facilities are the rights of all citizens. The residents of Pavoor Uliya are eligible for all facilities which other people get. A permanent bridge is their first demand . So I request the MLC and officials to look into this matter urgently. Coordination is needed between the government departments. With this problems of people can be sorted out efficiently and fast, I congratulate Catholic Sabha and its office- bearers. They took up the issue of Pavoor Uliya and came to fight for the people.” Dr Saldanha added.
Monu, assured Rs 3 lacs from the fund of taluk panchayat and informed the approval of more funds from UT Khader,the local MLA and minister.
Rolphy D’Costa announced that Catholic Sabha will fight for the residents of Pavoor Uliya. We will not rest until the demands of locals are fulfilled,”
It may be recalled that residents constructed a temporary bridge last week with their hard-earned money after the government failed to offer any help.
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