Bhatkal: Bhatkal MLA and Karnataka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Mankal S. Vaidya has urged Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) to regularly visit schools, anganwadis and other neglected areas in rural parts of their respective jurisdictions and take prompt steps to address local problems.

He was speaking at a progress review meeting of PDOs from Bhatkal and Honnavar taluks held at the Bhatkal Taluk Panchayat meeting hall on Wednesday.

Vaidya asked the PDOs to spare at least half an hour every week to visit neglected areas, listen to people's concerns and initiate measures to resolve them. He directed officials to accord priority to issues such as trimming tree branches, filling potholes, clearing electricity bills and carrying out repairs to schools and anganwadis. He also instructed them to identify suitable works under action plans and ensure their implementation.

Vaidya noted that nearly Rs 50 crore under the 15th Finance Commission grants remained unspent in Bhatkal and Honnavar taluks. He directed the officials to coordinate with the administrators concerned and take steps to utilise the funds by the end of September. He also instructed them to identify areas lacking basic facilities and prepare action plans for utilising grants under the 16th Finance Commission, which will be implemented from the 2026-27 financial year.

The meeting also discussed specific local issues, including the school building at Hudilu under Hadavalli Gram Panchayat and facilities for new colleges under Kaikini Gram Panchayat in Bhatkal taluk. Problems relating to narrow roads and drainage in Bailur and Mavalli gram panchayats were also reviewed.

From Honnavar taluk, issues concerning the school room at Modahalkeri under Chikkanakod Gram Panchayat, the Kudrigi anganwadi building and construction of a building under Anantawadi Gram Panchayat were discussed in detail.

Bhatkal Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Sunil M., Honnavar Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Putte Gowda, Assistant Directors Uday D. Borakar and Kirankumar Naik, and PDOs from Bhatkal and Honnavar taluks attended the meeting.

Kariyappa Naik welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks, while Manager Krishnakant Naik assisted in organising the meeting.