Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 3: "The government exists for achieving the well-being of the subjects. In a democratic set up, citizens are the rulers, and officials are expected to serve them. Officials and people's representatives earn their livelihood out of tax payers money, and proverbial Rama Rajya can be achieved only when they work honestly and diligently. We have strictly told the officials to work without seeking bribes. If we get any complaints about corrupt practices of officials, we will take action against them without fear or favour," said Udupi district in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organized on Friday September 2 at Kandlur in the taluk for distribution of various facilities on behalf of different departments in Amparu and Kavarady gram panchayat limits, dedicating services of Bapuji Seva Kendra to the world, and handing over building of veterinary hospital.

Madhwaraj added that after the government led by chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah took over administration of the state, BPL cards have been issued to 64,000 families and this government has come to be known as pro-poor government because of people-centric schemes introduced by it. "People holding BPL ration cards are eligible to get power connection free of cost, as the government will bear the cost of electric pole, power line inside the house, and power line," he said, duly advising BPL card holders living in Kavarady and Ampar gram panchayats to avail of free power connection facility within a year. He clarified that discussions would held with the CM about the possibility of announcing separate sand policy exclusively for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts.

The minister said that 94c is a scheme that is beneficial for the poor, and asked officials never to reject such applications matter of factluy. He advised officials to list out grazing land, deemed forest, Kumki land etc and make alternative arrangement to handle them. "Bapuji Seva Kendra is an ambitious scheme under which facilities concerning over 100 schemes can be got executed under a single roof. Because of the local MLA, thousands of crores of grants have flowed into Byndoor constituency. Everyone needs to wholeheartedly support the legislator concerned," he felt.

Byndoor MLA, K Gopal Poojary, said that functioning style and will power of government officials play a crucial role in ensuring that people-friendly schemes implemented by the CM reach all the concerned. Bapuji Seva Kendra was conceived mainly to avoid the necessity for the people to wait in long queues and to provide services under various schemes under a single roof.

On this occasion, the minister was felicitated and a memorandum containing different demands was handed over to him.

MLA, Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLC, K Pratapchandra Shetty, taluk panchayat president, Jayashree Mogavera, zilla panchayat member, Jyoti M, taluk panchayat members, Ambika and Jyoti Putran, chairman of Fisheries Development Corporation, Hiriyanna, Kavaraday gram panchayat vice president, Santosh Shetty, and several others were present.

Devanand Shetty Halnadu welcomed. Former taluk panchayat member, Pradeep Kumar Shetty Gudibettu delivered introductory address. Member of Amparu gram panchayat, Santosh Kumar Shetty, proposed vote of thanks.