Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Mar 1: The 6th general meeting of the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) was held at Netravathi Hall here on Wednesday February 29. ZP president Shailaja Bhat presided.
 
ZP CEO Dr K N Vijayprakash said that through the master plan, the ZP has been improving the condition of people from the Koraga community across DK district in social, education, and health sectors. He was replying to a query by one of the members of Zilla Panchayat.

The CEO said that as per the schemes meant for Koraga community people, a Koraga community development committee will be opened at the district level and a trust will be opened by accumulating money from private people. Vijayprakash added that the proposal is before the government.
 
“Currently there are 305 Koraga families residing on government lands and 10 Koraga families in forest land. It has been learnt through a survey that they do not possess title deeds,” said ZP chief planning officer Mohammed Nazeer. Responding to that, ZP member Devaraj complained that though money was released by the government for the development of Koraga people, it remained only on paper and eligible beneficiaries are still being overlooked.
 
Clarifying this, ZP CEO said that the ZP is abiding by the policy of developing the Koraga community. “The health department officers have been making sure that the Koraga children get Protienex and nutrition calcium tablets. The officers have been directed to check for underweight children. Also, for the continued inspection of education and health condition of Koraga children, the post of assistant director will be created. This officer will deliver his duty with NREG,” he detailed.
 
Later, a heated debate took place at the meeting as a few ZP members demanded permission for ZP members to dig upto five bore wells each. ZP member Channappa Kotian urged ZP president K T Shailaja Bhat to grant permission.
 
Dr Vijayprakash said that already a proposal of Rs 120.9 lac has been sent to the government of which Rs 60 lac has been already released. He added that additional demand could be made and a proposal will be sent. “Each legislative assembly constituency is given a Rs 10 lac grant out of which Rs 8.75 lac was for drinking water projects,” he said. MLA U T Khader joined the meeting and said that he is ready to allot three borewells.
 
Dr Vijayprakash also said that Right to Guaranteed Service Act will be in force from Thursday March 1 in Puttur taluk under which 151 services in 11 departments will be provided within the time limit which includes revenue and labor department.