Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS/CN)
Mangalore, Jun 5: Narayana Swami, minister of state for Social Welfare, has instructed the managing director of Dr B R Ambedkar SC/ST Corporation to suspend Damodar Naik, district manager, Dr B R Ambedkar SC/ST Corporation, for his inferior quality of work in implementing the projects of the corporation and for misuse of his office.
He issued this order at the progress review meeting of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts held at the zilla panchayat hall on Saturday June 4 which saw officers from both districts participating.
Observing the poor work of Naik in implementing the projects meant for the SC/ST community, the minister immediately issued the order and instructed the managing director to submit a report after thorough investigation.
Swami also said that Patalappa, an officer who mismanaged Rs 89.68 crores in Girijana development project of DK district, should be arrested by the police immediately. DCP Mutthuraya told the minister in the meeting that the police will arrest him soon. The minister also suggested that Patalappa’s photo be released to the media for public awareness.
U T Khader said that many SC/ST people in Chembugudde area have not gotten title deeds for their land yet. SC ST houses in other places also have no electricity connection as they are unable to produce their title deeds to MESCOM as proof of residence. Swami, in his reply, instructed the concerned officer to not demand any such documents by them, but to give them the connections in receipt of deposit.
Khader also said that in some government colleges, Rs 3,000 is collected as fees from the students and they are finding it difficult to pay this as they get only Rs 600 as their scholarship. He said that this is happening because of extra ‘college betterment fees’ charged. Swami said that he will look into this serious issue.
The minister announced Rs 1 Crore for the development of the ‘Jogi’ community.
Swami was furious at the nonattendance of some officers from different departments and at those officers who came to the meeting without carrying the relevant files. He came down severely on them.
Tahasildars of various taluks of the twin districts, forest department officers, and education officers submitted their reports of progress in their respective regions, during the meeting.
DC Chennappa Gowda, SP Laburam, SCP Mutthuraya, and ZP president K T Shailaja Bhat were also present.