Proposal to set up 3 rehab centres in DK for Endo victims

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has said that the district administration has submitted a proposal to the State government to set up three permanent rehabilitation centres in Dakshina Kannada for endosulfan victims.

Speaking at tri-monthly KDP meeting chaired by District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai here on Saturday, he said that the centres have been proposed at Panaje, Ujire and Vittal. The DC said the government is spending Rs 25 lakh per year for the two day care centres.

Zilla Panchayat President Asha Thimmappa Gowda said that only 25 victims were getting the benefits of day care centre in Koila. The remaining victims do not get benefit owing to shortage of space in the building.

An adjacent building of the sericulture department could be used for the purpose by constructing a roof to the building, to which, the DC responded positively and said that roof can be constructed with the available funds.

DHO Dr Shivakumar said that 792 persons have been identified as victims of Endosulfan during the drive held in March and April. The process of issuing identity cards to these victims will be completed by July 10 Monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000 each is given to 1,341 victims and Rs 1,500 is given to 431 persons.
 
Woe over ration cards

When MLA J R Lobo and ZP President raised the issue of suspension of BPL ration cards, Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sharanabasappa said BPL card holders who have failed to renew their cards embedded with their biometric information have been suspended.

The BPL ration card holders can renew their ration cards till July 15. However, in urban areas, the card holders have to apply fresh.

Vented dam

Mangalore Assistant Commissioner Prashanth said that 387.06 acre land should be acquired for the proposed new vented dam at Thumbay, of which, survey for 103 acre land has been completed.

The Minister directed the AC to expedite the survey, to know the exact land which will be submerged for the project. The official from Karnataka Water Supply Board said that there was no shortage of funds for the completion of the project and the work is likely to be completed by next June.

Jeppu market

MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D’Souza said that there was technical fault in the design of the Jeppu fish market and can not be used for selling fish. The MLA demanded an inquiry into the design of the Jeppu market, to which, the minister said that Minister for Fisheries Abhayachandra Jain will inspect the market and take a final call on it.

Shiradi Ghat road

National Highways Executive Engineer said that potholes on the Shiradi Ghat road have been filled. The work on 13-km stretch of concreting of the road will be taken up at a cost of Rs 158.18 crore after the monsoon.

The tender process has been completed and the contractor has been asked to get ready with the materials for the concreting of the road. The tender for asphaltation of the road has been invited.

Shortage of sand

The DC said that there was shortage of availability of sand locally. The contractors have complained that sand is not available at reasonable price. In non-CRZ area, the PWD has identified 21 blocks for the extraction of sand and in CRZ area, 20 blocks have been identified.

Illegal transportation of sand to Kerala is a major concern. In 2013-14, 753 cases of illegal transportation of sand have been cracked in the district. A sum of Rs 70.47 lakh has been collected as fine.