Daijiworld Media Network: Udupi (NP)

Udupi, May 16: Heated arguments erupted during the District KDP meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office in Udupi, as BJP MLAs accused government officials of repeatedly violating administrative protocol and sidelining elected representatives in official programmes.

Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna and Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar strongly raised the issue before district in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, alleging that MLAs were being ignored during government functions, including title deed distribution programmes.

Addressing the meeting, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna said officials were failing to properly communicate with legislators regarding official meetings and events. “We are receiving information about meetings only through WhatsApp and e-mail. Official letters are not being sent from the district In-charge minister’s office. Many times, the mails get changed, postponed or cancelled, creating confusion. If we are not available in the office, at least the departments should call and inform us officially,” he said.

Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar stressed that protocol in governance must be strictly followed and should not be breached under any circumstances. “Protocol in governance is important and it cannot be violated repeatedly. Even if ministers are unable to monitor every issue personally, senior officials and the deputy commissioner must ensure that protocol is followed properly,” he said.

Raising objections over title deed distribution programmes allegedly conducted without informing local MLAs, Sunil Kumar questioned officials over the manner in which such events were organised. “If an MLA is not invited for title deed distribution in his own constituency, how is it right? Who gave the title deeds in my constituency? If it was distributed officially through the minister’s office or the deputy commissioner’s office, it would have been acceptable. But how can government title deeds be distributed through a political party office?” he questioned while showing photographs during the meeting.

He further demanded strict action against officials responsible for the alleged lapse. “If there was urgency in distributing title deeds, I had already instructed the tahsildar not to wait for the district in-charge minister. But distributing them through a political party office is unacceptable. The officials responsible must face strict action,” he said.

Sunil Kumar also criticised the Kannada and Culture Department over a publication released by Rangayana, “The book completely ignored elected representatives and the state government. There is not even a single mention or photograph of MLAs, MPs or the state government in the publication. What kind of department functions without following even basic protocol while publishing official books?” he asked.

Responding sharply to the allegations, minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, district in-charge minister expressed displeasure over the conduct of officials and warned of strict disciplinary measures if such incidents recur. “In future KDP meetings, if any protocol is violated, immediate suspension action will be taken and I will not spare anyone. They are elected representatives and irrespective of party affiliation, government officers must respect them and follow protocol properly. I want the Deputy Commissioner to take serious note of these issues,” she said.

The minister also warned the Karkala tahsildar and the assistant director of the Kannada and Culture Department regarding the alleged lapses. During the meeting, BJP MLAs also alleged that coastal Karnataka and Udupi district were being neglected by the state government, claiming that insufficient attention was being given to development issues in the region because all constituencies in the district are represented by BJP legislators.

Lakshmii Hebbalkar, district minister in-charge; Byndoor MLA, Gururaj Shetty Gantihole; Kundapura MLA, Kiran Kumar Kodgi; Udupi MLA, Yashpal A Suvarna; Kapu MLA, Gurme Suresh Shetty; Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar; M A Gafoor, president Karnataka Coastal development Authority; MLC Manjunath Bhandary; MLC Bhojegowda; MLC Kishore Kumar; deputy commissioner, Swaroopa TK IAS; superintendent of police, Hariram Shankar IPS; Zilla Panchayat CEO, Prateek Bayal an other department officers were present