JOIN US'Beneficiaries may get sand for Rs 350 per load'
The meet further said that those involved in mining must be made to pay a particular amount towards maintenance of Zilla Panchayat and Gram Panchayat roads, which are getting damaged due to plying of mines vehicles.
During the general body meeting of the ZP, members Azeez Malar took objection to the fact that most of the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat roads are being damaged due to density of mines vehicles. Questioning whether the roads can be repaired under Gram Panchayat funds, Malar said that the roads are being damaged and the mining mafia is growing strong in the district because the local governing bodies have no control over them.
Meanwhile some members said that in the whole quest of controlling the movement of sand to Kerala, the poor and economically backward families specifically those constructing houses under government schemes like Ashraya are suffering.
Mines and Geology Deputy Director Ravindra said that as far as maintenance of roads and fixation of sand price are concerned, Department cannot be doing. He said that department collects royalty of Rs 350 per party and issues licence. Hence members said that the sand mining parties must be asked to provide sand for the beneficiaries of government housing schemes at Rs 350.
Rural drinking water
With regard to drinking water, CEO P Shivshankar said that there is no dearth of funds for drinking water with the Zilla Panchayat. He said that a sum of Rs 40 crore has been santioned for rural water supply after a comprehensive survey, of which a total of Rs 17.80 crore has been released.
A sum of Rs 2 crore was released during 2005-06, Rs 6 crore was released during 2006-07, Rs 15 crore during 2007-08. This year a total of Rs 15 crore has been released of which Rs 3 crore was returned to the government due to which Rs 7 crore was released for 2009-10, which has been completely utilised. “We will utilise the funds released for this year as per the action plan,” the CEO said.
Anganwadi repairs
The ZP has decided to repair the anganwadi centres which are in bad condition, however, ZP President Santhosh Kumar Bhandary asked the members to utilise the funds released for construction of new building for renovation as well.
The house also raised objection to the possible decision to introduce uniforms to Anganwadi children. However, Deputy Director Woman and Child Wefare Department said that though a discussion was held in this regard at the State-level, no circular has been issued so far about implementation of the same. Members opposed the same on the grounds that it will be an additional burden for economically backward families.