Dakshina Kannada District-in-Charge Minister C T Ravi expressed his unhappiness about the poor implementation of housing schemes in the district. He directed the Tahshildars of every taluk to identify land to distribute sites to the poor. Ravi was addressing the tri-monthly KDP meeting at Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, here on Monday.

Earlier, the officials informed that 25,612 families have been identified as site-less, including 11,996 families in Mangalore, 8,235 in Bantwal, 3,934 in Belthangady, 230 in Puttur and 3,317 families in Sullia. Responding to this, Ravi said that special interest should be taken to implement housing schemes like Vajpayee Site Scheme or Basava Housing Scheme for the interest of backward classes. Let the people build houses where they are. If it is government land or if it comes under minor forest department, write letters to the government seeking permission. “Don’t let the funds lapse,” he said.

Hostel problem

The district social welfare department official said that the maintenance of the government college hostels has become difficult as they have to bear more than Rs 7,000 as additional charge for each hostel, every month. They said that the government grant of Rs 845 is not enough as they have to purchase commercial gas cylinders, which costs Rs 945 per cylinder and they get only 9 cylinders per year.

Responding to it, the minister said that the government will find some solution to the problem, but there should not be any changes in food menu or other facilities for students, he said.

Meanwhile, Ravi suggested the Deputy Director of Public Instructions to appoint part time teachers if he finds there is scarcity of teaching staff. DDPI said that part time teachers have been appointed in a few schools, including in naxal- affected areas of Belthandgady.

Drinking water

Noting the drinking water problems in the district, he directed the officials to take steps in advance. The officials informed that 24 villages including a few in Mangalore and Bantwal are facing acute shortage of drinking water. Mangalore MLA U T Khadar alleged that there are borewells in few places, but without electric pumps.

When the official concerned said that there is a technical problem of not having electrictiy connections, Ravi directed the Deputy Commissioner to call a meeting and solve the problem. 

MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar said that there would not be any problem to provide drinking water as the catchments of Thumbe dam have received rains. About the vented dam project, KUWSS Executive Engineer said that the vented dam project in Thumbe won’t affect this time. About dam, he said that 25 per cent of civil works are over, but the estimated cost of the vented dam project has increased from Rs 40 crore to Rs 75 crore because of some technical reasons.

Road repair

About Mani- Madikeri road repair project, the PWD official said that out of 40 kilo metres of road, 30 km of road will be repaired by the extended date- May 31. But the minister wanted the project to be completed by May 31.

He directed DC to warn the contractor and executive engineer concerned to finish the work in time. Meanwhile, MLA U T Khadar alleged that the Ucchil- Deralakatte road is filled with patches though Rs 1.50 crore has been spent for the repair work.
About shifting electrical poles during road widening, PWD official said that they don’t have funds to shift electricity poles.

They said that MESCOM should provide funds for the work for the purpose to solve the problem.

Responding to it, Ravi suggested PWD to make some arrangements that as it is for public interest. Ravi suggested the transport department to ply 6 buses between Mangalore and Bajpe airport.

ZP President Koragappa Naik and Vice President Rithesh Shetty among others were present.