JOIN USSenior officers give KDP meet a skip, elected reps peeved
As many as 18 officials were representing their higher ups, at the monthly Karnataka Developmental Projects (KDP) progress review meeting at Zilla Panchayat here on Monday, only to irk the elected representatives.
Deputy Commissioner C Shikha and the Assistant Commissioners of Mysuru, and Hunsur sub-divisions Saeeda Aisha and Jagadeesh, respectively, have remained absent for the fourth consecutive meeting, fuelling the already charged atmosphere.
ZP member Jawaregowda, also the Chairman of Social Justice Standing Committee at ZP, wanted to know about the status of KSRTC bus services at his constituency Kadakola in the district, when a junior level official representing the office of KSRTC Divisional Controller (Rural) rose to clarify on the same.
He was the second such official to cover up for his/her boss, which did not go down well with ZP president Pushpa Amarnath.
The substituting officials were asked to raise their hands, and their number stood at 18.
Pushpa Amarnath, addressing ZP CEO P A Gopal, said, “It is not a marriage ceremony to invite the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners every month. Is the meeting that unimportant for top officers to give it a miss?” Pushpa questioned.
She was joined by the C T Rajanna who took severe exception to the nonchalant attitude of the officials.
Alternative to tobacco
Deputy Director of Sericulture department Chigari was asked to submit a report on the alternative crop to tobacco in Hunsur district.
The ZP president who represents the same taluk said that with the farmers forced to look for an alternative before 2020, the year when a total ban on tobacco will be enforced, the departments alike have to come out with plans to enable the farming community.
She asked the departments of Horticulture, Agriculture, Forest, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry to join the officer in preparing a collective report.
It was also suggested to seek the expertise of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), JSS Krishi Vignan Kendra, Suttur among other dedicated institutes in validating the report.
Maize to KMF
Joint Director of Agriculture Department Mahanteshappa was asked to look into the pros and cons of cultivating maize in the district even during summer season.
The suggestion follows a proposal from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) having Mysuru and Chamarajanagar Milk Union Limited (Mymul) in the district, to Agriculture department, to supply maize for cattle feed during summer.
DH News Service