‘Construct classrooms in Annaru Patrame School’

Dr Selvamani, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer, has directed the DDPI to ensure construction of classrooms at the Annaru Patrame School, where a portion of the building had collapsed.

Most of the classes are being conducted on the premises of a temple. Zilla Panchayat member Koragappa Naik had raised the issue in the Zilla Panchayat meeting chaired by the president Meenakshi Shantigodu. Naik had said that there is a need to make alternate arrangements as the temple authorities have shared the premises for only three months.

“The children have to cross the road to reach the school for their midday meals. There are classes being conducted in a store room and the office room as well,” said Naik.

Grants for buildings

In response, DDPI Shivaramaiah said that a proposal has been submitted to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Instruction seeking grants for the construction of school buildings that were in dilapidated condition in the district.

“The commissioner has sanctioned Rs 3.65 crore to Dakshina Kannada and the grants are likely to reach the department within four days. The work on the building will be taken up immediately,” he added.

Dr Selvamani also directed the DDPI to make arrangements to supply midday meals to the children on the temple premises itself.

Corruption charges

The issue of Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat EO Sadananada allegedly demanding a bribe from PDOs to sanction budgets for gram panchayats was raised in the meeting.

The members said that the CEO should conduct a thorough investigation on the matter. Vinod Kumar said that even after being relieved from the post of EO, Sadananda has allegedly cleared over 40 files of various gram panchayats.

The CEO promised to ensure a probe into the issue.

When the issue of dumping garbage beside the highway at Pavanje was raised, Dr Selvamani assured that the garbage would be cleared and disposed of scientifically.

Pending applications

Member Sujatha said that due to poor internet connectivity in rural areas, the biometric system in the public distribution system had been posing inconvenience to the ration card holders. “The applications seeking ration cards are pending for clearance in the district. As a result, the genuine beneficiaries are being deprived of facilities from the government,” she added.

The CEO directed the Food and Civil Supplies Department deputy director to use the internet services that are accessible in villages instead of depending on BSNL alone. The deputy director, in turn, promised to clear all the 5,000 pending applications for ration cards by October-end.

Members said that officials from the Revenue Department should attend the Zilla Panchayat meeting to solve issues related to the Department. The ZP CEO promised to write to the deputy commissioner to depute an officer from the Department as nodal officer to the ZP meeting.