'Govt releases Rs 5 crore for welfare of Koragas in DK'

Works worth Rs 2.7 crore have been completed in Muchooru gram panchayat

 
Addressing reporters after inaugurating a vented dam at Gundavu in Muchooru gram panchayat in the taluk on Monday, Palemar said that the Koraga leaders in the district may submit their suggestions with regard to the implementation of welfare schemes for the community. All Koraga community members should make use of the scheme benefits, he added.

Speaking on the new vented dam, Palemar said that the reservoir would irrigate agriculture fields in about 116 acres of land in Muchooru gram panchayat. The vented dam has been constructed by the Minor Irrigation Department at a cost of Rs 44.96 lakh, he added.

Palemar said that development works worth Rs 2.7 crore under various government schemes have been completed in Muchooru gram panchayat. A total of Rs 33 lakh has been spent to dig borewells and for pipeline laying in Muchoor, which will supply water to about 51 acres of land. Borewells were dug at Kompadavu at a cost of Rs 15 lakh to provide water for families of scheduled tribe under the Tribal Sub Plan, he added.

Other completed development works include, retaining wall for Muchooru Sri Rama Temple constructed at a cost of Rs 30 lakh, works under Suvarna Grama Scheme in Kompada at Rs 58.63 lakh, Works of Swacha Grama Scheme worth Rs 20 lakh and a vented dam of Rs 5 lakh at Balike under Malnadu Area Development Scheme, Palemar said.

While development works worth Rs 12.5 lakh have been taken up under MLA’s fund, three water supply schemes worth Rs 14.90 lakh have been completed under the MP’s fund. Meanwhile, an open well has been dug at Arjunakodi in the village at a cost of Rs 2 lakh, he explained adding that several roads in the village were developed spending Rs 35 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojna.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Zilla Panchayat President Santhosh Kumar Bhandary and Muchooru Gram Panchayat President Janardhana Gowda were present.

Action against illegal sandmining

Palemar said that the government will take necessary measures to prevent the illegal flow of sand from various parts of Dakshina Kannada district to Kerala.

He said that a special team will be formed to check all the routes on which sand is being transported illegally to Kerala. Quoting police report, Palemar said that there are about 23 routes through which sand mining lobbies transport sand to Kerala.

At least 200 additional cops should be deployed to check all these routes, he added. To a query with regard to the illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders in sandmining boats in the district, Palemar said that the matter will be looked into very seriously and also assured necessary action against violators.

New president for ZP?

Has Mangalore Taluk Panchayat President Ramachandra Kumpala been elected as the new President of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat president?  This question may arise, if anyone read the plaque unveiled during the inaugural of vented dam at Gundavu in Muchooru gram panchayat on Monday. Ironically, name of Ramachandra Kumpala has been engraved on the plaque as the Zilla Panchayat President instead of Santhosh Kumar Bhandary.

The plaque which shows Ramachandra Kumpala as ZP president