'KSRTC Puttur division, not a wise move'

Instead form Madikeri or Udupi sub division, says DSS

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, state committee member P Keshava said that the state government has made an announcement but has not provided any infrastructure for the same.

“This hasty move by the Government will only put Mangalore division in to trouble.
It may be recalled that the government could not acquire land for setting up KSRTC depots in Sullia and Subramanya,” he said and added that B C Road, which is just 24 km from Mangalore has been included in the Puttur KSRTC division but the people of the town depend on Mangalore for education, and other business activities.

“Instead of carving Puttur division, the government should have carved a separate Madikeri or Udupi sub division to help the passengers. Though the government had promised that it will start government city buses in Mangalore, the promise is yet to be fulfilled.

Recruit locals

Keshava said “the KSRTC bus drivers and conductors play a vital role in providing good service to the passengers in Mangalore division. Unfortunately, majority of the drivers and conductors are from outside the district. Hence, when they go on leave, other drivers will be overburdened. To avoid the problem, the government should earmark 50 per cent reservation for the locals when they appoint drivers and conductors to the KSRTC division.” A memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa urging him to announce reservation for locals in KSRTC division, through Deputy Commissioner, he said.

Ambedkar Bhavan

Keshava said during the tenure of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde,
Ambedkar Bhavans were constructed at the gram panchayat level across the state. Similarly, a Bhavan was constructed at Uppinangady PU College premises by the Mandala Panchayat.

Unfortunately, even to this day, the Gram Panchayat has not taken over the Bhavan for maintenance. As a result, PU College library is functioning in the Ambedkar Bhavan which was constructed for the public use. He urged the authorities concerned to take over the Ambedkar Bhavan and allow the public to utilise it for organising public programmes.

“After Praveen took charge as the Mangalore Mayor, MCC officials are not showing respect to the position. Though Mayor had promised to convene a meeting of Dalit leaders to listen to the grievances related the utilisation of funds meant for SC/ST twice, it was postponed owing to the non availability of the officers.”

The Samithi will submit a memorandum to the Mayor and Commissioner to convene a meeting to discuss over the funds meant for SC/STs before the MCC monthly meeting.