City to be free of open defecation, says Rai

All households in the MCC limits will be provided toilets by the end of this year, to make the City free of open defecation, said District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai.

He was speaking during the Republic Day celebrations at Nehru Maidan on Tuesday.

The minister said, “Funds up to Rs 280 crore have been released under the ADB II phase project, for development of infrastructure. Under the Amrita Scheme of the Central government, Rs 200 crore will be released for the next five years. Under the scheme, construction of underground drains, stormwater drains and development of parks will be carried out.”

Stating that the progress of farmers and villages is the priority of the government, Rai said that under the Podi-free campaign, land had been measured in 30 villages and 30 more villages have been selected for such measurements on podi land – which refers to land for which farmers have no land records.

He added that Dakshina Kannada district is a frontrunner in the implementation of the State government schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Manaswini and Maitri.

Development of backward communities

A grant of Rs 1.20 crore has been released for the treatment of Malekudiya community people suffering from ‘sickle-cell anaemia’.

“In the district, title deeds under the Forest Rights Acts have been distributed to 50 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Tribes. A total of 136 people belonging to the Koraga community have been provided houses at a cost of Rs 2.38 crore.
Various other schemes for SC/ST such as financial assistance for students belonging to Malekudiya community and Ashram School in Dharmasthala, have also been implemented. The selection of beneficiaries for Dr B R Ambedkar Housing scheme is in progress,” he said.

KSRP, Civil Police, Traffic Police, PSI Women Police, Fire Service Personnel, NCC Army and Navy, Bharat Seva Dal, scouts, guides and the police band took part in a march past led by Parade Commander Raghavendra of RPI.

Hasan Vittal, superintendent at the DC office, RFO P Shashidhar, SP’s office branch superintendent Ravichandra V, Revenue Department First Division Assistants B Hyder Ali and Prabhakar, Swacch Bharat Mission Coordinator Manjula and Department of Horticulture attender Ramesh were honoured with Sarvottam awards. Eight talented students were also felicitated.

Commissioner of Police M Chandrasekhar and ACP Madan Gaonkar were felicitated for being the recipients of President’s medal. As a part of the celebrations, students presented cultural programmes. A vintage car rally was held on the occasion.

Health Minister U T Khader, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Jacinta Vijaya Alfred, IGP (Western Range) Amrit Paul, SP Dr Sharanappa S D, ZP CEO P I Sreevidya and Additional DC Kumar were present among others.