Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (DV)
Mangaluru, Nov 21: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dr K V Rajendra on Saturday November 21 asked village accountants (VAs) and public development officers (PDOs) to initiate action against illegal stone quarrying in the district.
Speaking during the 'Meet the Press' programme organised by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Association, DC said, "Village Accountants (VAs) and Public Development Officers (PDOs) should initiate action against illegal red stone quarrying. The administration will hold drive to legalise such illegal redstone quarries in the coming days. In case of dereliction of duty by the officers, strict action will be taken against such officials.
"The department of Mines and Geology is providing permission for the mining of red stones in 'Patta' land, without the notice of the district task force. I have already written to the secretary of Department of Commerce, requesting to bring change on the same. Mining on government land is strictly prohibited. It has come to the notice of the district administration that through the permission for mining in 'Patta' land, few people indulge in illegal mining in other places," he added.
The DC also said that he had obtained a technical report on illegal transportation of mud in places like Balepuni, Fajir and other places.
Stating that several administerial works are pending following Covid-19 pandemic, the DC said, "The district administration has started to execute pending works. Following this, road work in Hampankatta has commenced. People are facing inconvenience due to ongoing work, but it will be completed very soon.”
“Giving importance to beach tourism in the district, beaches including Tannirbhavi, Panambur and Surathkal will be developed in cooperation with the private sector. Tenders will be floated for the maintenance and development of the beach. As the district administration has started heli-tourism at Mangalore port to facilitate the tourists, it would start an advanced booking system in the upcoming days.
“The district administration has issued permission for 88 people for sand mining under CRZ limits,” said the DC adding that to prevent illegal sand mining in Dakke, long range hyper cameras will be installed and coordinating with the police department, check posts will be set up.
District health officer Dr Ramachandra Bayari stated that the number of Covid-19 positive cases are gradually coming down. Each day nearly 3,500 tests are conducted. The number of positive cases have been declined to 108%.
He also said free covid-19 tests have been carried out for the students, teaching staff and non-staffs in colleges. "As of now, we have conducted tests on 14,050 people and no positive cases have been reported.
Mangaluru assistant commissioner Madan Mohan and tahsildar Guruprasad were present.