Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 11: Udupi zilla panchayat member Geethanjali Suvarna has blamed government for discriminating between villages.

Speaking at the zilla panchayat general body meeting held at Dr VS Acharya meeting hall on Tuesday, September 11, she said that Rs 1 crore from MLC fund was released for Kote village. However, the government passed an order to provide the fund for Bommarabettu village, even though Bommaraabettu has already benefitted from the Suvarna Yojana. “How is it possible to change an order which was given earlier?” she lashed out.

“The same case is running in court. We have just followed the legal order,” replied ZP CEO Shivanand Kapashi.

Member Reshma Shetty highlighted the issues faced by locals due to the new toll gate being installed on Mulky – Karkala state highway as per the state government order. “The installation should take place scientifically, but the company is creating problems for locals by installing toll gate on village road,” she alleged.

The CEO said there is an exemption for local vehicles. “By October an order will come regarding this gate. We will look into it,” he assured.

Member Shilpa Suvarna complained that people of 92 Heruru village in Kaup did not get land from one year, due to conversion problems. “A survey process has been completed, but plot process is not yet taken up. The families of that area are facing difficulties for getting loan without conversion of land,” she said.

Around 150 families are waiting to receive compensation from Udupi Power Corporation Ltd. Walls of houses were damaged because of its functioning. The PWD is also aware of the issue and has agreed to it, the members highlighted in the meeting.

Supporting the matter of compensation, Prathap Hegde Marali alleged that the DC is maintaining silence. “Though the government ordered the company to compensate Rs 1 crore for those families, she is not doing anything regarding the issue for the past one year. She must consider it as a very serious matter,” she stressed.

Member Raghavendra said, “Basava Vasathi and Ashraya Yojana beneficiaries are facing sand crisis problem. Why does the government not cancel this scheme for coastal district? A resolution must be made by the zilla panchayat,” he demanded.

Babu Shetty, president of Education and Health Standing committee spoke on illegal transport by stone mines. “The government officials are not aware of it. The contract mining operators are transporting stones from the stone quarries without paying royalty,” he alleged.

ZP member from Karkala highlighted that government land reserved for cemetery has been encroached by some people. “Karkala AC is always avoiding public calls,” she expressed her disappointment.

Member Janardhan Thonse took a dig at the forest department and said it gives more importance to wild animals rather than human life. “Three lives have been lost at Havanje reserve forest,” he said.

Another ZP member complained that the milk powder which was given to government schools was spoilt and packets were opened. “It is happening in every school. Who is the responsible for it?” she questioned.

DDPI Sheshashayana said that if such issues are noticed, then the packets should be returned to KMF. “Assistant Director of Akshara Dasoha and Head Master are the responsible for it. Firstly, the school must bring it to the notice of respective BEO,” he stressed.

Another issue which was discussed was transfer certificate given to ninth standard failed students in government high school Kundapur. This incident has happened with 7 students out of 19 students, the members said.

ZP CEO instructed the DDPI to look into the problem.

Sudhakar Shetty Mairmady raised a complaint that a private trust has acquired government school property and constructed a library without taking any permission from the DDPI. “The Government school which was relocated to Heranje near Brahmavar was closed ten years ago,” he said.

The CEO strictly instructed the DDPI to take over the property from the hands of private trustee and ordered the shifting of the library immediately.

Zilla panchayat President Dinakar Babu has instructed all schools in the district to not waste the food items supplied to the schools under the Akshara Dasoha programme.

The zilla panchayat has served show cause notice for five officials including DHO and engineers, who were absent to the past meeting.

Sheela K Shetty vice president of ZP, Uday S Kotian, Shashikanth Padubidre, MLC Pratapchandra Shetty and others were present.