JOIN USSixty one members of Gram Panchayat Elected Representatives Women Members Association— Sugrama in three taluks of Dakshina Kannada, all 13 elected members of Neriya gram panchayat and its staff, all the members of Panja and Thenka gram panchayats and 15 gram panchayats PDOs/secretaries have vowed to fight against corruption and have submitted a certificate (‘pramana pathra’) to DK MGNREGS Ombudsman.
Terming it as first of its initiative in the State, Ombudsman Sheena Shetty said “If elected representatives understand the concept of MGNREGS and implement it effectively by abiding the guidelines, then one can create wonders in the villages. The MGNREGS should be implemented in a transparent manner.”
The letter submitted to the Ombudsman by GP members and PDOs said, “I have been motivated by the concept of total sanitation, total literacy and model rural development campaign and have voluntarily decided to fight against corruption. I have decided to serve the people of my village in building a model village through transparency and commitment. I will strive continuously for the welfare of the gram panchayat. Let us all join hands with each other in striving to eradicate corruption and save democracy.”
The Sugrama members include members of 32 gram panchayats, with 17 gram panchayats in Mangalore taluk (29 members), 8 in Belthangady (18 members) and seven in Puttur (14 members).
The Ombudsman said in Neriya gram panchayat, the authorities have decided to provide employment under MGNREGS to all the job card holders. There are 772 households possessing job cards in the GP including 16 SC and 56 ST beneficiaries.
About 350 households have land. All those job card holders who own land will be allowed to take up individual work in their land. This includes residents of Banjarumale, one of the remotest villages in Belthangady taluk, wherein the work on arecanut, coconut, pepper, cocoa, cardamom plantations and bio-fence will be taken up.
The Ombudsman said that Panjna gram panchayat in Sullia taluk has also passed a resolution in the gram sabha to fight against corruption. The members of Thenka gram panchayat in Udupi taluk has also decided to provide employment to all the job card holders.
Digging of wells
On the other hand, Balepuni gram panchayat has prepared an action plan for digging wells in 285 wells to meet the water requirements of those households who do not have sources of water. The GP has decided to take up the work on 25 wells at a time.
Following the model, the Ombudsman has written to all the EOs of five taluk panchayats in Dakshina Kannada district to prepare an action for wells. Kashipattana has already dug 180 wells utilising the funds available under MGNREGS.