Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Mar 28: Issues related to Aadhaar card registration dominated the quarterly meeting of Karnataka Development Programme (KDP), held at Netravati hall in zilla panchayat premises here on Saturday March 28.

The meeting was chaired by district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai.

The members at the meet said that there is a notice from the central government to link the Aadhaar Card information with the ration card, but there is a huge shortage of centres in the entire district and people have to go through tough times to register for Aadhaar card. The officials said that in Dakshina Kannada, there are 17 Atal people-friendly centres, and the MCC too has opened centres at Lalbagh, Light House Hill, and Mangaluru One Kadri. There is a centre at BC Road and in Puttur, Pinto company does the registration work. As Mangaluru is a big taluk centres will be opened at Moodbidri, Beltangady, and Sullia soon, the officials said.

MLC Ivan D'Souza who was furious over the issues pertaining to Aadhaar card registeration, said, " Aadhaar Card registration in Mangaluru is in a mess. People suffer a lot on a daily basis, there is much confusion. Recently a school made Aadhaar cards mandatory for issuing hall tickets. Show me a single guideline by the government that says Aadhaar card is mandatory in schools."

In reply to the concerns raised by the MLC, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "There is no rule or regulation for any school to make Aadhaar card mandatory. There are clear instructions from the district administration. There are only 27 centres in the entire district. The problem is, there is no special appointment need for registration work, and old government officials, who already busy with other work, are given this job. They are not able to complete their regular work, then how will they give time for Aadhaar card work? I have informed the central government that with a population of 4.5 lac and the number of centres currently functioning, it will take more than three years to complete the work."

MLA J R Lobo said, "The officials are not taking their job seriously. An official meeting has to convened involving all the people concerned with Aadhaar card registration work."

In reply the officer concerned said, "A single registration takes 25 minutes. So far, we have received 6,600 applications from all the regional offices, but we have minimum officials and less number of centres, due to which there is delay in the process. We have already raised our concerns with the district administration."

District incharge minister B Ramanath Rai said, "A meeting will be called soon and a solution will be found. The important thing is people should not suffer."

Shiradi Ghat

Regarding Shiradi Ghat which was closed for traffic from January 2 this year for repair, MLC Ivan D'Souza expressed unhappiness with the slow progress of work, and told the officials, "The work will not finish before rain season. You give promises in meetings but the work is really slow. People are suffering due to slow work."

In response, the officials assured that the first phase of work would be finished by the end of May this year.

MLC Ivan D'Souza asked the officials to open the road for traffic after completing the first phase of work.

District incharge minister B Ramanath Rai said, "The work on the first phase has to be finished on time, and the tender process for the second phase has to speed up. We will inspect the spot soon and a meeting will called with the chief engineer soon to discuss the issues related to Shiradi Ghat."

Inter-state sand smuggling

In the year 2014-15, 324 cases of illegal sand transportation were identified in the district and Rs 33,63,700 was collected as fine. There is a scarcity of checkposts at the boarders. The process of appointment of officials has already commenced, it was revealed during the meeting.

Issues related to education, water, road etc were also discussed at the meeting.

ZP CEO P I Sreevidya, president Asha Thimmappa Gowda, MCC commissioner Hephsiba Korlapati, superintendent of police Dr S D Sharanappa and others were present.