Silvester D' Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, June 28: The 13th ordinary meeting of taluk panchayat was held on June 28. The meeting was chaired by Taluk panchayat president Jayashree Mogaveera who discussed matters such as making the taluk open defecation free, appointment of grama panchayat president during election code of conduct was in force, aadhaar card confusion etc.
Members Jyothi Putran, Vasudev Pai and Karuna Poojary objected to having appointed grama panchayat president for the third time without the knowledge of taluk panchayat members. “How was the appointment made when the election code of conduct was in force?”, they asked.
Member Mahendra Poojary condemned the action of taluk panchayat asking zilla panchayat to review the rents of all the buildings under it including taluk panchayat canteen and direct taluk panchayat. “Doesn't taluk panchayat have a right to take its own decisions? Why do you block taluk panchayat rights?,” he asked. Jyothi Putran who joined him said the matter has been brought to the notice of zilla panchayat to obtain their opinion and it is debatable. Vasudev Pai asked why the rule is being modified. Karuna Poojary said that it was decided in the earlier meeting that the affairs of rent will be investigated by Lokayuktha. “Why is it changed now? Do everything according to rules. Take independent decision and then inform the zilla panchayat,” he said. Several discussions were held about it. Member Pushparaja Shetty put forward his argument too.
“Who did filler work to Siddapur Abbinakki Bridge? As the work is performed free of cost who is responsible for sub quality work? The details of its quality should be provided,” said member S K Vasudev Pai. Not convinced with the reply given by the concerned engineer, he asked if there are no details of who conducted the work. “Who will be responsible if the bridge collapses due to sub standard work? The engineer guarantees that a project will last for a certain number of years. How many years guarantee does the bridge have?” He asked.
“Though several years have passed by after taking possession of land for Varahi project, the land is not bifurcated. Bank loan cannot be obtained as the land is not registered in Pahani,” said member Umesh Shetty Kalgadde.
As member Udaya G Poojary did not get suitable answer to his question in which bank have the farmers taken up insurance and if they get insurance on the basis of drought affected area, he clarified that he asked if the farmers get at least a small amount of compensation after having declared drought affected district. “There is information that such compensation is distributed in nearby Shivamogga on its basis,” he said.
To a question by Surendra Kharvy of encroaching Madivala and Chola Lake, in Gangolli, the official said that the survey is already conducted and that no encroaching has taken place. However Kharvy who was not convinced, said that the survey might have been conducted before he asked the question. “I am not aware of the survey. Conduct a survey again and save the lakes,” he urged.
Karun Poojary asked why the removal of pit dug in Tallur market on government land to dispose of garbage is taking time. “Why has the tahsildar not closed it even after orders by the deputy commissioner?,” he asked.
Tahsildar answering him said that concerned people have been asked to get it done. “They have said that it will be done in another fifteen days,” he said. “If the chamber filled with thrash is closed all of a sudden, it may create problems,” he said. Karuna Poojary responding to it said that there is no chamber connection there and it can be closed.
“Toilets in grama panchayats are yet to be constructed. But Udupi has received an award as open defecation free district. On what basis was the award given? There are reports in newspapers everyday about toilets that are yet to be constructed,” said Umesh Shetty Kalgadde. The president said that the report from grama panchayat PDOs is considered. Umesh Shetty for it asked why they are not saying about pending toilets. “Why are government facilities not being distributed to people on time? An elderly woman Santubai lives under tarpaulin tent in helpless condition for the last two years. The foundation for house from government was laid two years ago. Can’t you see her hardship? Why are the PDOs not setting it right?” He asked.
MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty, taluk panchayat vice president Pravin Shetty Kadke, social justice committee president Narayan K Gujjadi and others were present.