1,898 'Bhagyalaxmis' lose bonds in Udupi district

As many as 1,898 Bhagyalaxmi bonds are rejected following the applicants not attaching the photographs of their fathers in the bond in Udupi district.

Providing details at the Zilla Panchayath monthly meeting, Women and Child Welfare Department Assistant Director Rajendra Bekal said the applications were rejected citing the reason that the bonds do not carry the photographs of their father, which is mandatory.

It is difficult in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district to collect the photographs of beneficiaries father, as the region is female dominated society in many cases (Aliyakattu), wherein the matriarchal custom is followed.

The government has also rejected the demand to consider the district as a special case owing to the traditional practice of ‘Aliya Santhana’ in the region.

The government has clarified that there cannot be separate considerations for all social customs that is followed in different parts of the State.

574 bonds are rejected in Udupi, 1,226 bonds are rejected in Brahmavar, 10 bonds in Kundapur and 88 bonds are rejected in Karkala, he added.

The House decided to pass a resolution recommending the government for reconsidering the bonds.

The other issue that grabbed the attention of the House was the delay in supplying power tillers to the farmers.

Replying to a query raised by ZP Member Katpadi Shankar Poojary, Agriculture Department Joint Director said that 370 applications for power tillers have been received.

The equipment would have been distributed in the month of May itself. However, owing to the poll code of conduct, the process could not be completed. The applications will be immediately processed.

Last year, 484 applicants were given power tillers, he added.

Action against truck drivers

The members also raised objection over the action of mines and geology department officials for nabbing the truck drivers who drive the trucks carrying sand and stone mined from quarries.

They demanded that the people who carry out illegal mining and quarrying should be detained rather than punishing the drivers who work for livelihood.

Mines and Geology department official Niranjan said that 22 vehicles were seized till date and are fined. Notices were issued to 13 illegal mining units.

Poor performance in SSLC

Replying to a query over the bad performance of the district in the SSLC examination, DDPI Nagendra Madhaystha said the main cause for the sharp decline in the result is liberal corrections in IX standard.

Practically almost all students were promoted to X Std except for 974 students who were detained in IX standard for worst performance.

The schools were issued direction that the students who are able to read and write and are attentive in the classes should be promoted to higher classes.

The other major issue was regarding Section 94C of Land Reforms Act where a section of people are deprived of benefit.

MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj said that another Section 94CC will be introduced shortly, which will help people residing in urban areas as well as the people living within the five kilometers radius to get the benefits of title deeds.

Measures are taken to identify the government land to offer to the homeless, he added.

Member Babu Shetty demanded the clarification of electrification for the wells that are dug in the district under Ganga Kalyan Yojane.

The official said as many as 52 wells are dug and the power connection is disrupted owing to the attitude of MESCOM officials.