Govt adopts step motherly attitude towards ZP: members

Meeting threatens to hold protest before DCs office

 
The house witnessed discussions over the decisions taken by the government with regard to fund allocations to the body. Questions were also raised, especially by Congress members, concerning the relevance of Zilla Panchayat in the government set up.

Congress member Bhujang Shetty said that the government is showing indifferent attitude towards Zilla Panchayat. They flayed the  government for empowering MLAs to work out the blue print of the development programme taken up by ZP. Government is restricting the powers of the body, he alleged.

Strongly condemning the government’s behaviour, former ZP President Raju Poojary questioned the relevance of the ZP. The Government has authorised MLAs to chalk out plans for the ZP programmes. How genuine is the process of curbing the powers of ZP?, he wondered and added that the 12th Finance Plan has also failed to allot the required funds.

President Gladys Almeida informed the house that the State has also not received the Central government’s allotments.

The delegation comprising ZP Presidents in State has met the CM and submitted the memorandum seeking immediate sanctioning of the funds announced. The issue has been brought to the notice of Home Minister in the recent KDP meeting.

The Congress members who staged walk out returned after the President, Vice-President and CEO held a meeting with them. Raju Poojary wanted immediate measures to be taken to implement the resolution  passed in the last meeting. Government has to be informed immediately regarding the debate and the decision taken in the house with respect to the issue. If government fails to take any decision concerning the allotments for the body, all ZP members should stage protest before Deputy Commissioner’s office cutting across party lines. The government attitude should be strongly condemned, he added.

Low quality food

The meet also saw discussions over various issues that were left pending in the last meeting. Member Sarasu Bangera raised the issue of low quality food materials distributed to Anganawadis in the district. Kids are not willing to eat the tasteless food provided in the Anganwadi. Anganwadi members are held responsible, she said.
The concerning officer informed the house that similar food materials have been distributed all over the State. The problem is with the instant mix food that is ready to serve. It is tasteless but is rich in nutrients and energy, he added.

 Pranesh Rao opined that lack of knowledge in preparing the ready mix has made it sticky and bitter in taste. The workers will be given training to cook. If SHGs are interested to take up the responsibility, they can come forward. The problem will be solved in the next academic year, he said.

Financial fraud

Another major issue that rocked the floor of the house was the dismissal of Haradi GP secretary in connection with financial misappropriation. Congress members were bent upon their demand urging the suspension of the secretary.

The secretary had sanctioned Ashraya house in the name of a dead person.
 The President informed that she will be kept under suspension and final decision will be taken based on the inquiry report.

Forest norms

The forest department’s circular urging prior permission from the forest department before taking up development projects by ZP in the area that comes under the jurisdiction of the forest department raised the eye brows of the members. MLA Gopal Bhandary said that the circular should be targeted at forest department itself since the department has encroached enough area under the ZP jurisdiction. He demanded the clearance report from the department with regard to the encroachments.

Slow progress of work in the construction of temporary sea walls that are built in areas of intense sea erosion, distribution of low quality cycles to high school students and other issues were discussed on the occasion. MLC Prathapchandra Shetty, ZP Vice President Dr Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Education and Health Standing Committee Chairman B K Hegde were present.