Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 30: Udupi’s new deputy commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha issued strict guidelines to government employees. In his first meeting after taking charge as DC on Thursday, August 29 at Sathyamurthy Hall, the DC asked the municipality council officials to report to field work every day at 6 am. Officials who come later than that are good to go home, he warned.
The DC heard the grievances from the councillors of the city. “I had done my probation under Ponnuraj, who was then the Dakshina Kannada DC and Hemalatha who was then the Udupi DC. I have little knowledge about Udupi. However, I have headed several developmental works in urban areas. I have thorough knowledge on policy matters. When I served as commissioner of Mysuru City Corporation, the city bagged cleanest city award in the country under Swachh Suruvekshan. I do not think making Udupi a clean city is a challenge. Mysuru was larger and more challenging,” he said.
“To increase efficiency in work, I will ensure there is an increase in manpower and more equipment is purchased. We should adopt more advanced technology in work. Otherwise, it will affect development in future. There are many small tools and equipment that can be used to make work easy,” he said.
Council officials should respect councillors as well as public, when they come to council office, he said.
“We should work according to the wishes of the people. For that, officials need to put in extra effort and react to problems. An administration should be responsive. Officials should know how to work under pressure. I have never sent back anyone saying ‘no time’ even though I am busy. Complete your work on time and properly. Only then, everything will go on smoothly. The burning issue of the coastal district is sand mining on which we will have better clarity soon,”” said DC Jagadeesha.
Poor maintenance of street lights, poor management of waste, underground drainage issues, shortage of workers and staff at council, water management issues, maintenance and other issues were raised at the meeting by councillors.
Ramesh Kanchan, councillor, Bailoor ward said, “Due to delay in formation of council, it is difficult to issue completion certificate and NOC to street lights. He stressed on rectifying divider lights because Ganesha Chaturthi fest is coming up.
“In Udupi council, there is only one labourer for 700 people. Dredging work in drainage is not happening on time, which creates problems during monsoon. More civil workers, a permanent electrical engineer and staff are needed to be appointed in CMC,” said Sumithra Naik.
Krishnarao Kodancha said, “We are elected to serve people, but we are not given a chance since one year. The problems in council are affecting our service.”
There is no electricity connection in six houses belonging to SC/ ST people in Subrahmanya ward because NOC is not yet given to them, said a councillor.
MLA Raghupati Bhat said, “Water and electricity are fundamental requirements. It has to be provided to all. We will look into the problems.”
He further said, “The chief minister has sanctioned Rs 25 crore recently, out of that Rs 5 crore will be used for PWD roads and delisting at Baje dam and so on.”
Restoration of Indrani river issue was also highlighted at the meeting. CMC Commissioner Anand Kallolikar was present.