Justin D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Nov 24: “All departments should work in coordination to execute developmental works that are being undertaken for the comprehensive upliftment of the district. If any one is violating then strict action will be taken against such officers,” said district in-charge minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

She was speaking at the trimester progress review meeting that was held at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium of Manipal.

Hebbalkar expressed unhappiness over the non-implementation of silt removal work at outer port of Byndoor, Gangolli fishing port and Kodi Jetty navigation channels due to technical reasons. The minister instructed the concerned to coordinate between ports department and CRZ authority and get the work done immediately.

The minister also spoke about rain, crop and stock of fertilizers and said that the yield of paddy is down by 50% and instructed the officials to take taluk-wise details. She said the district had recorded 22% deficit rainfall than usual and the underground water level has depleted by 24%.

She exhorted the officials to take corrective action to prevent shortage of drinking water during summer to the people and cattle.

Laxmi directed the officials to complete the pending drinking water works to on priority. The district has 604 vented dams. Out of them 357 are already installed with barrier planks. The same needs to be done to the rest immediately.

She instructed the irrigation department officers to do the needful. The minister also directed the officials to complete Varahi drinking water project and ensure supply of water to the city of Udupi by February end.

The minister also instructed officials to get approval from the regional director (environment) and complete the 11 project reports of Khar Land construction to prevent mixing of salt water with normal water.

The minister said that out of the 71 works of city development that are approved, 32 had been completed. She asked the officials to complete the remaining soon.

Laxmi Hebbalkar also asked SP to give approval for the traditional sport of cockfight of the coastal region. She listened to the appeals of Congress MLC Manjunath Bhandary and said that precautions should be taken to avoid any gambling while the cockfight sport is played.

A long discussion was held on deemed forest in the meeting. Discussion was also held on application under 1994 CC for the houses built on Kumki land. Laxmi Hebbalkar instructed the officials not to reject any applications and clear them as per rules.

MLAs Yashpal Suvarna, Sunil Kumar, Gururaj Gantihole, Kiran Kumar, Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLC Manjunatha Bhandary, DC Vidya Kumari, ZP CEO Prasanna H, SP Dr Arun K, additional DC Mamata Devi, DFO Ganapati and all district-level implementation officers were present.