Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said the district administration has initiated 72 works at a cost of Rs 58.89 crore in 2015-16 in Karkala taluk.

Speaking after providing benefits to the beneficiaries of various development programmes, he said 29 works, out of a total of 72 works, have been taken up at a cost of Rs 35 crore. As many 52 other works are under way, he added.

The Small Irrigation Department has started 29 works at a cost of Rs 35 crore. An amount of Rs 21 crore has been earmarked under Namma Grama Namma Raste Yojane. He added that roads and other basic infrastructure facilities are being carried out under Swarna Grama Yojane, wherein five villages have been adopted.

So far, 423 beneficiaries have received the benefits in Karkala taluk. Out of 168 assurances given by the Congress in the poll manifesto, nearly 105 have been fulfilled, he stated.

Sorake said the norms for ration cards have been simplified to ensure that more beneficiaries get BPL cards. Under Annabhagya Scheme, rice worth Rs 10,000 is given to each beneficiary every year, he added.

The minister said the dates for the forthcoming Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections would be announced on Monday.

Elaborating over the measures taken up by the State government to empower women in the State, the minister said the SHGs have been given a loan of Rs 2 lakh and above for zero per cent interest rate. Rs 1 lakh is offered as loan for six per cent interest rate, he noted.

Sorake added that Raitha Samparka programmes are being initiated in collaboration with various departments, including the Revenue, Irrigation Department, cooperation sector and others.

He said Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for Bailur Road work and the foundation stone laying ceremony is performed. Rs 1 crore is earmarked for the road at Hermunde and Rs 2 crore is earmarked for the road at Kadthala, he added.

The minister said the Gram Sabhas are held to collect the opinions of people at grassroots level on Kasturirangan report.

He said the government has recommended relaxation of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) from 10 kilometres to one kilometre. He directed the Deputy Commissioner to hold a meeting on deemed forest issue on December 10 and submit the report at the earliest.

As many as 20 Bhagyalakshmi Bonds, 13 revolving funds for SHGs, 5 Janani Suraksha kits, two power tillers, three harvesters, 83 ration cards, 141 pension schemes, 56 housing beneficiaries, 20 loan waiving assurances and three solar lights for scheduled tribe community families were given away on the occasion.

As many as 423 beneficiaries received the benefits of 12 departments.