MLA Belur Gopalakrishna has  cautioned of initiating strict action against officials, who do not attend the taluk panchayat meets.
Tri-monthly progress review meeting of the taluk panchayat was held in the town on Wednesday, to which officials from Animal Husbandry, Forest and Wild Life, Cooperative and other departments  failed to attend.
Irked with this, elected representatives demanded the executive officer to initiate action against officials  who did not attend the meeting. Voicing a similar opinion, MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said that absence at TP meets amounts to dereliction of duty,  which would invite strict action.

Town maintenance
Expressing dissatisfaction about the maintenance of cleanliness and hygienic conditions in the town, Mr Belur took the municipality officials to task.
The threat of an epidemic break-out is high during summer. Therefore, cleanliness should be maintained in the town. Also public awareness should be created in this regard, he said.

Water crisis
“Though ample funds are released to tackle drinking water crises, the problem is rampant in both the urban and rural areas of the taluk. Works related to providing drinking water should be implemented on priority basis,” he said.

Not satisfactory
Alleging of irregularity in Watershed Development Department, Mr Belur said that work related to digging wells in farm lands is far from being satisfactory.
Relief package
Speaking on the occasion, Taluk Panchayat President Mallikarjun Hakre said that Rs 14 crore has been released for the taluk under Prime Minister relief package for farmers. However, he was disappointed with the non allotment of any work to Anandapuram, Avinahalli, Karur, Bharangi hoblis under the package.
Price slash
Regarding slump in the areca price, President of Taluk Areca Producers Cooperative Society K R Sridhara Bhat said that of the funds released last year for purchasing areca at support price, Rs 1.70 crore has remained unutilised, he said.
Since areca price is again witnessing a steep fall from last month, the pending amount can be utilised, he suggested.