Speaking at a taluk panchayat KDP meeting held under the presidentship of MLA Abhayachandra Jain here on Monday, he said students will find difficult to ride the bicycles in the city limits.

He said in 2006-07, Mangalore City limits have received 842 bicycles for girls. Of which 649 bicycles have been distributed among the beneficiaries. The remaining 193 bicycles have been shifted to Bantwal and other surrounding regions. A total of 626 bicycles have been received for boys. Of which, 551 bicycles have been distributed. 66 bicycles are remaining, which will be shifted to the rural areas. This year, bicycles will not be distributed.

Health
Taluk Health Officer informed the meeting that school teachers are being trained to create an awareness on Malaria in the taluk. 32 Malaria cases have been detected in Mangalore in the last one month.
He said no leprosy cases have been detected in the taluk for the past three months. However, 44 TB cases have been detected in the taluk.

Mr Jain urged the people to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings to avoid the breeding of the mosquitoes.
He urged the taluk Social Welfare Officer to disburse the scholarship for students without any delay.

Sericulture
Silk Extension Centre official informed that sericulture industry is not picking up in Dakshina Kannada district due to lack of facilities. The farmers who produce cocoons have to go to Hassan for marketing. Though market facility was opened at B C Road, four years ago, it was closed down later. A proposal for setting up of purchasing point has been sent to the government, she added.

Horticulture department official informed that 40 schools have been distributed with hybrid varieties of saplings in the taluk. 100 beneficiaries have been identified for the distribution of hybrid variety of saplings. Of which, saplings have been distributed to 70 beneficiaries.

Mr Jain urged the officials to distribute seeds of vegetables to the government schools which provide mid-day meals to the children. He also called upon the officials to inform all the facilities of the horticulture department to the people.

Officials absent
Mr Jain urged the EO to initiate action against those officials who did not attend the meeting. “If the officials continue to fail to attend the meeting, I will boycott the meeting in the future,” he added.

Taluk Panchayat President Sriyala Hegde, EO Kantaraj were present.