JOIN US'Issue permits for sand mining in DK'
Speaking at the Karnataka Development Programmes review meeting here on Saturday, he said that till the PWD takes over the maintainance of sand mining, the Mines and Geology department should issue permit for mining and should see that there is no shortage of sand in the district.
MLA U T Khader said that there is no proper policy for sand mining in the district. There is a need for district-wise sand mining policy. “While sand is transported in Udupi district without any hindrance, What is the problem in Dakshina Kannada district?” Abhayachandra Jain sought to know.
MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said “a meeting of three district-in-charge ministers of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, Deputy Commissioners had decided not to put any restriction on manual sand mining which is being carried out in the coastal districts. The proceedings of the meeting should be implemented.”
Laterite stone
Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee on Agriculture President Navin Kumar Menala said that owing to the order issued by the previous Deputy Commissioner, there is shortage of laterite stones in the district. No permits are issued for quarrying.
Reacting to it, Mangalore Assistant Commissioner Venkatesh said that a committee has been constituted to carry out survey on the legal and illegal laterite stone quarrying units. The committee will submit its report to the Deputy Commissioner in the first week of November. To which, the Minister said “do not give permits for illegal units. However, legal units should be given permission to carry out the quarrying activities. What can we do with the hillock which has laterite stones?” he asked.
Road
Palemar said that Chief Minister has said that all the roads in Dakshina Kannada should be pothole free by January. Accordingly, he directed the engineers concerned to prepare the estimate and take up the work. The National Highway official said that potholes on NH 48 will be filled by November end. The PWD official said that potholes on all the state highways in the district will be filled by December end. He also directed the officials to fill the potholes of Zilla Panchayat roads.
Cancel permits
Palemar directed Regional Transport Officer to check whether the buses are plying to Chelyar. If the buses are not plying, then cancel the permits given to the private bus owners immediately, he said.
MLA Khader said that the buses plying to Amblamogaru are always crowded and the passengers are forced to sit on the top of the bus.
If it results in any any mishap, then who should be held responsible? he questioned. Issue permit atleast till Kankanady for the buses to operate, he added.
The Minister directed the KSRTC to apply for permits to operate from Kankanady to Amblamogaru and not seek for State Bank or Hampankatta permit.
‘Koleroga’
When MLA Jain raised the issue of fruit rot disease (Koleroga) affecting arecanut, the Chief Executive Officer Dr K N Vijayaprakash said that horticulture department is carrying out a survey on fruit rot diseases and Yellow leaf disease affecting arecanut plantations. Yellow Leaf Disease has affected six villages in Sullia taluk. Under National Horticulture Mission, the district has received Rs 282 lakh for taking up replantation in the yellow leaf disease affected plantations.
However, the farmers and experts of the region have opposed the proposal and have asked for financial assistance to grow alternative crops, he said.
Zilla Panchayat President Shailaja Bhat, Vice-President Dhanalakshmi Janardhana, Standing Committee Presidents were present.
2,448 ration cards suspended
Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sharanabasappa said that 2,448 ration cards in rural areas have been suspended as the family was not residing in the address which they had given.
However, the suspended ration cards can be revoked if the family gets a certificate from the Panchayat Development Officer stating that they have been residing in that particular village. Accordingly, 100 suspended ration cards were revoked in Bajpe on Friday.