Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jul 3: “If the stubborn attitude of the government continues like this, government schools may have to be closed soon. How can children study if the teachers are transferred one after another? Do not consider education lightly. This is Udupi, not Gulbarga,” said MLA B M Sukumar Shetty taking the education officer to task. He was speaking after presiding over Kundapur taluk panchayat tri monthly KDP review meeting held in taluk panchayat auditorium on July 2.

He asked officials not to take hasty decision regarding transfer of teachers and protests. KDP member Prasanna Kumar said that there is only one child due to department policy in Keradi school which has classes till seventh standard. “The school in MP’s model village Keradi should have been made English medium school,” he said.

“Does the department know that fifty trees are destroyed this time due to scarcity of water,” he asked. Horticulture department officer Sanjiv Nayak said that about 50% Areca trees have dried up this time due to scarcity of water. A list is being prepared about them. There is provision to extend monetary help for saplings. Rs 8,500 each are paid for coconut trees and Rs 2,000 each are paid behind Areca tree which have died for want of water. Inform about it to the concerned village level officers and obtain a list,” said the MLA.

Commission for Matka

“The police station in Byndoor gets a commission of Rs 1.1 lac from Matka alone. Therefore, the suspects and bidders are not arrested. We will directly hand them over to you,” alleged zilla panchayat member Suresh Batwadi. “Cattle thieves are not getting arrested despite several thefts,” he said. MLA B M Sukumar Shetty suggested complaining about it directly to the DySP. “Matka should be stopped. If not complain to SP,” he said.

Details of Ganja cultivation in Western Ghats

The MLA asked to destroy Ganja cultivation in Western Ghats. When the forest officials said that they have no knowledge about it, he asked what are the forest guards and inspectors doing.

Zilla panchayat member Shobha Putran urged to get storm water drains at Panjurlimane, Gangolli cleaned. Medical officer Dr Nagabhooshan informed that there are vacancies for doctors at Hallihole PHC and applications are invited. “Action to prevent epidemic is taken. KFD case has come under control and five Malaria cases are registered,” he said.

Zilla panchayat member Rohit Kumar Shetty drew attention to the problems in Shankernarayana hospital. Member Jyothi joined her voice. Laxmi Manju Billava, Srilatha Suresh Shetty, Gauri Devadiga discussed about health department. Suprita Kulal said that there is scarcity of doctors in Thombattu sub station.

KDP member Prasanna Kumar said that if 108 ambulance is used, one should go first to government hospital. “Therefore, there should be directions to allow visit to private hospital if the patient desires,” he said.

There is no free treatment for monkey fever in Udupi. While people from Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada district gets treated why not for Udupi people, asked the member.

There were heated arguments between zilla panchayat member Rohit Kumar Shetty and Tahsildar regarding 94C. “Priyanka Kharvi in Vidhan Sabha has answered that Bovi community can be issued scheduled caste certificate,” said MLA Sukumar Shetty to the tahsildar. Zilla panchayat member Gauri Devadiga complained about 183 houses in Koyanagar, near Navunda suffering from stink from chicken farm waste and urged to get the farm vacated. Member Jyothi urged the panchayat to take stern action against the farm.

The MLA stressed on the need for cleanliness inside Gangolli port. He asked for places where Mescom sub station is required to solve low voltage problem. He also asked officials to give priority for drinking water and prepare a project to provide drinking water to every village from rivers.

Taluk panchayat social justice committee president Naryan K Gujjadi complained of misuse of grants meant for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe. Prasanna Kumar Shetty who joined his voice said that Yadamoge PDO has not answered to the questions raised by villagers in writing. “Doesn’t PDO listen to the directions of taluk panchayat executive,” he asked.

Prasanna Kumar said that several families are not getting ration as their thumb impression does not match.

MLA Sinivas Shetty, zilla panchayat education and health standing committee president Babu

Shetty, taluk panchayat president Shamala Kunder, vice president Ramkishan Hegde and taluk panchayat executive officer Kiran Padnekar were present.