Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 15: Incomplete works by contractors, poor supply of medicines to primary health centres (PHC) and lack of funds were raised during the third general body meeting of Zilla panchayat at V S Acharya auditorium hall, Rajathadri Manipal on Thursday, September 15.

Janardhan Thaonse, zilla panchayat member, Kallianpur complained that there were irregularities in water project and works are kept pending by the contractors because of due bills. “An investigation should be taken up on unpaid bills so that works can start immediately,” he demanded.

CEO Priyanka Mary Francis said, “There is no fund in state government for development of Udupi. We have submitted a proposal to sanction additional Rs 26 crores which has not been granted.”

Another ZP member said, “Lack of important medicines at primary health centres are affecting poor people. The hospital is not getting enough medicines from Mangaluru drug logistics. Arogya Raksha department has not distributed medicine as per the demand. All PHCs receive Rs 1, 75,000 including salary of employees and now the fund is released based on performance of these centres. Under ‘Mukhyamantri Harish Santwana Yojana’, the government has not paid in any cases, except Mavoudi case. Nearly nine private and four governmental hospitals in Udupi taluk are registered under this project."

Geetanjali Suvarna, zilla panchayat member Kaup demanded to clarify about the yojana and its criteria citing poor families were not able to afford huge medical bills.

One of the members complained about poor maintenance of the district hospital Ajjarkad and poor service of 108 ambulances. He said that drivers and staff nurses are not available for public at all.

Replying to all members, Priyanka Mary Francis said that a solution will be found at the earliest.

Babu Shetty, president of Socio-legal standing committee said, “Construction works were carried out at Kaup constituency using grant of Varahi project. We need clarification on this issue.”

Pratap Hegde Marali raised the issue of poor maintenance of vented dams. "There are 45 dams which are taken up by the government for the development." he said.

MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary pressurized the small irrigation water supply department and said, “We will be facing water problem next year if maintenance and repair works are not done before November and December 2016. Most of the construction works have stopped half way through due to lack of funds."

President of the zilla panchayat, Dinakar Babu, vice president Sheela K Shetty were present during the meeting.