Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Oct 3: The department of agriculture quarters meant to accommodate the agriculture assistant, looks more like a terrace garden from a distance. Bushes and thickly grown thickets are surrounded it. As the door remains closed, one can see rats and bandicoots through the window.

The quarters constructed at Mandady in Bantwal, was well equipped with electricity, water and road, ten years back. But it has reached the present state as there is none to look after it. It now looks like a haunted house.

The building in Mandady on nearly 14 cents land was constructed during 1980-84 under the World Bank AAP project. It was built for agriculture assistants in four gramas - Manchi, Panemangaluru, Mani and Mandady. However the officers retired and later the designation was discontinued. In later years, the treasurer lived there. Once he left, the quarters became deserted.

Chandravathi, an Anganwady worker, has said, they have a scarcity of space for Anganwady and the location will be useful for the activities of children if allowed. P F Miranda, assistant director of agriculture complained of less staff in their department, and there being no one for the post of agriculture-assistant. “The three remaining quarters are being used. There is a demand from Anganwady. I have asked them to send a proposal. Further action will be decided after sending the proposal to senior officials,” he said.