Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP) 

Udupi, Nov 23: “Suitability of compensation paid to victims of damaged houses and other losses suffered by them on account of heavy rains and other natural calamities will be inspected personally by Lokayukta officials,” said Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty. He was addressing a meeting of officials held at the district deputy commissioner’s office auditorium here on Friday, November 22. 

“The officials will obtain the list of victims from revenue department. Lokayukta inspectors will personally visit the houses of victims and verify if they have received the compensation,” he explained.

“It should be ensured that only eligible beneficiaries get houses approved for them. There are complaints that there was pressure on panchayat development officers to approve houses for gram panchayat presidents and other ineligible people. There are instances of approving houses even for those employed in the USA. Therefore, there should be a regulation to doubly confirm that houses are approved only for the poor. There should be no compromise on this stance,” he stated. 

“There are several complaints that people are made to spend more time in RTO office due to the menace of touts. RTO officers should keep touts away from their offices,” he said. He also asked to make sure that private buses ply on designated routes without any exception. 

“The progress on digging agricultural pits scheme of the department of agriculture is unsatisfactory. Officials in the department of agriculture should create awareness among farmers to effectively make use of this scheme for their benefit,” he advised. 

Deputy Commissioner, G Jagadeesha, zilla panchayat chief executive Preeti Gehlot, assistant conservator of forests, Kamala, ASP Kumar Chandra and others were present.