TP members demand measures to combat KFD

The Udupi Taluk Panchayat members on Wednesday sought exhaustive preventive and precautionary measures to combat Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) or monkey fever.

Taluk heath officer Dr Nagaratna Shastri said that measures had been taken to prevent the spread of monkey fever. The public should be cautious and take sufficient preventive measures. As many as 10 people were tested negative to monkey disease. Until now 95 monkeys had died and viscera of 30 monkeys had been sent to the Viral diagnostic laboratory in Shivamogga.

There was a discussion on water scarcity in different parts of Udupi taluk. Barkur gram panchayat president Shaila said that Varahi river water will quench thirst of Barkur villages as there is severe shortage of drinking water in the village due to salt water intrusion.

Taluk Panchayat president Nalini Pradeep Rao and tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar promised to take steps on mitigating water crisis in Barkur village.

A few members said that tenders floated for supplying water through tankers should not be done at gram panchayat level to ensure transparency.

The tahsildar said that due to Aadhar, as many as 343 elderly people in Udupi and Kaup taluk, 829 in Brahmavar were yet to receive pension.

To a query, tahsildar said that ISPRL was informed about the damages caused to 91 houses in Padur.

“The issue needs to be dealt at the government level,” he added.

Member Dhananjay wanted shifting of two polling booths to Tenkanidiyur college which would benefit hundreds of voters.