Karwar: The Special general body meeting of the Zilla Panchayat held in Karwar on Friday discussed various issues including biometric cards for fishermen, supply of standard food to anganwadis, poor school buildings and others.
At the meeting presided over by Zilla Panchayat President Jayashree Mogere, the Zilla Panchayat members raised objection over the working style of the officers.
“The higher primary school in Chittar in Manki gram panchayat limits has become like a toilet. There are 49 children studying in the school but it lacks facilities. The building gas is pathetic and since two years, the classrooms are not sufficient. Though this matter has been brought to the attention of the authorities concerned, nothing has been done. If such is the case, what is the use of elected representatives like us”, said Zilla Panchayat Member Pushpa Naik.
Responding to this DDPI A B Pundlaik said that he will visit the school on Saturday and inspect the situation.
Member Shrikala Shastri complained that the pulses being supplied to few anganwadis in Honnavar taluk are not of good quality which impacts the children's health. To this, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Ramprasath Manohar asked to immediately withhold the supply of pulses to the school. He directed the authorities to send the samples to the lab for testing. He also asked them to file criminal case against those who supplied the pulses and make alternative arrangements for supply of good pulses.
Gram Sabhas
Member Shivanand Hegde alleged that gram sabhas are not being held regularly in many gram panchayats. Officers are not attending the meetings and irregularities to the tune of crores of rupees are taking place in the housing schemes. Some people are demanding nearly ten to twenty percent commission.
Responding to this issue, Mr Ramprasath Manohar said that they will be able to take action as per rules if proper information is given on where the gram sabhas are not held.
Delay in bill clearance
Member LT Patil raised voice against drinking water problem which is still existing in Mundgod taluk. He said that as bills with regard to bore wells works have not been cleared, the contractors were not willing to work further. Works are not being carried out properly as officer are getting changed once in 15 days.
To this, ZP CEO Ramprasath said that the post of chief executive engineer in Drinking Water division is vacant since two years and it was due to this reason that the bills are not being cleared. Till now, VS Vernekar was in charge of the Zilla panchayat engineering division. As he holds three more posts, there has been a delay in clearing bills. Henceforth, the engineer of Sirsi divisor will be made in charge of drinking water.
Biometric
Member Albert D’Costa said that there are 50,000 fishermen in the coastal areas of Uttara Kannada district. The process of providing biometric cards to these people is being delayed.
Many fishermen are returning empty handed as the centers are not working efficiently. In addition to this, mechanized fishing will begin from next month. Therefore, the Fisheries Department must take steps to get the cards done at the earliest. Assistant Director of Fisheries Department said that the date has been extended to July 10.