Daijiworld Media Network - Manglauru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 8: Even though it has been 25 days since Maj Siddalingayya S Hiremath was appointed as the commissioner of Pilikula Development Authority, he has not taken charge so far. This delay is reportedly affecting development initiatives of the Nisargadhama, it is said.

Maj Siddalingayya was working as the additional commissioner of the department of public instruction at Dharwad when he was posted to Pilikula Nisargadhama as per an order dated October 12. Sidramappa Shreeshaila Biradar, who was posted in place of the spot vacated by Siddalingayya has already taken charge.

In the past, Pilikula Nisargadhama was managed by the project director. Now, an authority has been created in the interests of better management, and a full time commissioner has been appointed. However, the new commissioner has not yet taken charge.

It is said that nine academic districts were under the additional commissioner of public instruction, Dharwad. There were complaints from educational institutions, teacher organizations, most of the legislators from the region and ministers hailing from the area accusing him of dictatorship and seeking his transfer. In January this year, he had been transferred but he succeeded in getting the order cancelled and continued in that post.

Chairman of the legislative council, Basavaraj Horatti, C C Patil etc had also written to the government seeking to remove Siddalingayya, it is said. Horatti said that he and other people's representatives from the region had sought Hiremath's transfer as he was not functioning properly. "I hope that he will work well as the commissioner of Pilikula Nisargadhama', he commented

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, Dr Rajendra K V, said that currently, Pilikula Nisargadhama Authority does not have any grants and it is being run out of corporate social responsibility funds from MRPL and other companies. He wanted the new commissioner to take charge and undertake development projects at the Nisargadhama.