Government officials should prioritise needs of common man, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

The minister who was speaking at Janata Darshan, said its aim was to assess the reach of government programmes and gather feedback.

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao called upon the officials to listen to the grievances of the public patiently and respond accordingly.

Speaking during the Janata Darshana programme organised by the district administration at Bantwal on Wednesday, he said “how you interact with the public who come to the office for various tasks is important. Never behave rudely with the public visiting the office. Government officials should prioritise the needs of the poor and common people when they seek assistance.”

He said “Whether it is a Revenue Department office, a Primary Health Centre, or a school, do not let people lose faith in the government system. Whether it is the Tahsildar or the Revenue Inspectors, do not cause trouble for the poor. It's your responsibility to prioritise them and ensure their work is done.”

The minister said the Janata Darshan programme aims to assess the reach of government programmes and gather feedback, which will help in making necessary improvements.

“All the issues raised at the programme will not be resolved immediately. However, officials should make follow ups and ensure that it reaches a logic end.”

He stressed the success of the implementation of five guarantee schemes by the Congress led government in the state.

Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik U said that title deeds for the poor was a long pending demand.

Minister distributed title deeds to 177 families and provided various other benefits, including sewing machines, tool kits, sanction letter on the financial assistance for the purchase of farm equipment and bee boxes.

MLC Manjunath Bhandari, former minister B Ramanath Rai, and others were present.

New bridge sought

Members of the SDPI and Bantwal Town Municipal Council have urged authorities to construct a new bridge across Netravathi River in Panemangalore.

They said that the existing bridge built in 1914 during the British era, was once a key link on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru route and continues to be crucial for connectivity between BC Road and areas such as Goodinabali, Panemangalore, Nandavar Temple, the mosque, and Sajipa.

The residents raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the bridge. Flooding and years of structural wear have weakened its pillars, with inspections by the Bantwal Tahsildar revealing exposed rods and other vulnerabilities. As a safety measure, the Bantwal TMC restricted the movement of heavy vehicles. However, residents criticised the sudden installation of an arch at the bridge entrance, which, without prior notice, led to over 100 accidents and frequent roadblocks caused by vehicles getting stuck.

While some advocate for preserving the existing bridge as a heritage structure, there is also an urgent demand for a new bridge alongside it to ensure safe and efficient transportation.

Earlier, Dinesh Gundu Rao inspected the ongoing work on strengthening of the Addoor-Polali state highway bridge and also the work on Narayana Guru Circle at B C Road.