Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network — Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 24: ‘Jana-Mana’, an interaction between urban development and district-in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and beneficiaries of various schemes and programmes, was held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Rajathadri Manipal, on Saturday August 22.

The presence of hundreds of people was an indication of the success of the programme. Attendees came from the three taluks of Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur. A majority of them gave the thumbs up for the state government programmes to continue as before. Rupesh from Karkala demanded that boiled rice be provided for coastal regions.

Prakash Acharya from Kalya demanded that two liters of free kerosene be provided for BPL gas holders and he also opined that fair price shops must be kept open throughout the week.

Rajeshwari from Miyar village commented that there is a lack of manual workers for agriculture due to free distribution of rice.

Srilaxmi from Girls’ College said, “The ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ scheme has helped poor children who have been suffering from malnutrition.” Shashikala Kalavara who is engaged in animal husbandry said that she is leading an independent life due to the ‘Ksheera Dhare’ project.

Achchuta Adiga urged the extension of the subsidy benefit on diesel for mechanized farmers as with fishermen.

Sorake, responding during the session said that he will work on the construction of a farmers’ community hall.

Agriculturist Upendra said that farmers belonging to Marne region face problems from wild animals and urged granting of permission for possession of guns. Mamatha Shetty, a self-employed person, complained that she is not getting a good market for her products.

One of the beneficiaries alleged that the ST community of Karkala is not benefiting from the Ganga Kalyana Yojana. The concerned department was accused of showing little interest in facilitating public tubewells since four years.

Nearly 198 beneficiaries are waiting for ‘Shaadi Bhagya’ benefits in Udupi district. Three transgender beneficiaries have got RTC for their land under the Basava Vasati Yojane.

Sorake added, “Chief minister Siddharamaiah’s government aims to reach the deprived classes of the society.”

A book was released on the occasion which highlights two years of the state government’s programmes.
Deputy commissioner R Vishal, CEO Kanagavalli, CMC president P Yuvaraj, and A C Charulatha Somal were present.