Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 28: Officials said that out of proposals worth Rs 60.10 crore submitted under the legislators special grant scheme last year, Rs 56.4 crore has been released. "Out of them, 870 works have been completed and 139 are in progress," they explained.

An emergent general session of the Zilla Panchayat was held at Netravati auditorium of the zilla panchayat here on Wednesday February 27, which was presided over by Zilla Panchayat president, Meenakshi Shanthigodu.

The meeting decided to pass a resolution demanding grants meant to address drinking water problem in Dakshina Kannada district to be directly released to the Zilla Panchayat, and to forward the resolution to the government for favourable action.

Earlier, members of the Zilla Panchayat complained that grant meant for addressing drinking water requirement in the district is currently being released by the government to the office of the district deputy commissioner and the money reaches panchayats with undue delay. In response, chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat, Dr Selvamani R, said that the government would be asked to send money under this head directly to Zilla Panchayat.

Zilla panchayat member, Mamata Gatti, speaking on the occasion, said that water bill amounting to eight lac rupees is pending payment towards water supplied to Naringana panchayat since a year. She said that those who supplied water to the panchayat are awaiting payment. Selvamani said that the file relating to this water bill has been sent to the office of the deputy commissioner.

Officer of the department of horticulture said that 56,474 farmers from the district had submitted applications under areca nut rotting disease, and compensation of Rs 29.14 crore had been released to bank accounts of 28,154 farmers. Officials said that Rs 22 lac was released to the district for road safety initiative. They added that 849 projects under water supply have been completed, and 1,185 have been freshly initiated.

President, Meenakshi Shantigodu, said that Dakshina Kannada district has received grant of Rs 50 lac under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya panchayat empowerment motivational scheme and the same would be distributed to constituencies proportionately.

Vice president of the Zilla Panchayat, Kasturi Panja, standing committee chairpersons, Janardhana Gowda, Anita Hemanath Shetty, and U T Ibrahim, were present.