'Decision on vacant RTE seats to be taken on June 27'

Priority for transparency, implementation of rules and regulations: Madhwaraj

Udupi District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said he would prioritise on transparency and effective implementation of the rules and regulations in the governance.

Speaking after chairing a district-level officers’ meet here on Saturday, he said he has instructed all officials to be pro-people and maintain transparency in the administration.

Madhwaraj also said the chief minister has called for a conference on June 27 and 28 to assess the conditions of the districts. He said attempts will be made to discuss the problems in the districts.

“The important one will be regarding the Pashchima Vahini project, under which a series of vented dams will be built in the district. The project is necessary as the excess of water during the rain is flowing towards sea. The other issue will be the KUDSEMP projects covering Puttur, Kundapur, Udupi and Mangaluru. There is a need for additional Rs 60 crore to make the project feasible,” he insisted.

“Payment for the previous works is pending. The deputy commissioner has formulated a proposal of Rs six crore for natural calamities and road repair works and another five crore worth proposal for the sea erosion menace,” he assured.

Vacant RTE seats

He said that a concrete decision on vacant RTE seats will be taken at a meeting to be held under the chairmanship of director of the Department of Public Instruction on June 27. The meeting will also contemplate on deliberating the powers to decide for the deputy commissioner. In Udupi, at least 55% of RTE seats have been vacant.

The director of the Department of Public Instruction will take the decision pertaining to the unfilled RTE seats all over the state.

Briefing over the decisions taking to look into the possible measures to evade the tragic incidents like the one at Muwadi, Trasi, on Tuesday, the minister informed that a meeting will be held on July 2.

“The concerned officers like the deputy commissioner, the district superintendent of police and the regional transport officer, the heads of educational institutions as well as drivers of auto rickshaws, cabs and buses are asked to attend. The meeting will focus on all round security measures that need to be adopted keeping in view the safety of the children in and outside schools,” said the minister.

Guidelines

Madhwaraj said the Supreme Court guidelines would also be taken into consideration before imposing the law. “An immediate and permanent plan of action will be designed to ensure the safety of school children. Representatives of the National Highway Authority of India will take part and this will help discuss measures for schoolchildren-friendly roads. The inputs from various sections of society will be taken and decision will be taken. The meeting will be held in the auditorium at the deputy commissioner’s office,” he said.

Responding to a query regarding the action taken against the ruthless driving of the private vehicles, especially buses, the minister said that measures will be taken after the meeting held on July 2. He said a detailed project report for national highway connecting Malpe harbour to Adi Udupi and Manipal to Parkala has been designed. The project will be finalised at the earliest, he added.