‘Complete Pending Development Work before Announcement of Elections’ – Dr Jayamala
Udupi: The Udupi District Minister In-charge Dr Jayamala instructed the officials to complete all the tender, work order and all other works before the announcement of the Lok Sabha Polls. She was speaking to media persons after chairing the KDP meeting at the ZP Auditorium, Manipal on March 6.
The district is facing a severe scarcity of sand and the issue was discussed on top priority during the KDP meeting. The officials should inform the public how and where they get the sand from the government stockyard.
Jayamala directed the deputy commissioner to sort out sand mining issues before the (election) model code of conduct comes into effect in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
“Poll dates are likely to be announced in a few days. Sand mining problems need to be solved in just two days,”
The minister said that eight sand bars were identified in the CRZ area and the sand mining committee led by the DC had decided to permit sand extraction there.
She added that 30 blocks had been identified in non-CRZ areas. Seven of the 30 blocks would be used for works being implemented under government schemes.
“Tendering for another 23 blocks were underway. Before the start of monsoon, sand must be extracted from the basin,” Jayamala said adding: “The price of sand will also be made known to the public”.
Deputy Commissioner Hepshiba Rani Korlpati said that she intended to call a meeting soon to sort out sand mining issues in the CRZ area. Live bidding would be held for sand extraction in the non-CRZ area, she added.
The district administration has sent a proposal for 11 new service roads connecting the National Highway 66 and has instructed to complete the work immediately.
As many as 6,253 arecanut growers had received compensation for crop losses said Jayamala and she directed officials prepare to tackle water scarcity and drought. As many as 19 vented dams were built and another eight would be completed soon.
Under the backward development and minority development department the Ganga Kalyana projects were not implemented properly. The grant from the Union government is still pending and a proposal has been sent to release the grant, she said.
Discussions were also held on the non-functioning dialysis machines at the government hospitals in the district. The dialysis machines should be utilized for needy patients at government hospitals. In Kundapur taluk the health officials should take action to install a Generator and additional dialysis machine.
10 acres of land has already been sanctioned for the Karkala Theme Park and an additional 50 acres is sanctioned to recreate the life history of Koti Chennaya. The minister said that the plan was to construct a parking lot, food court, children book park, toy train and sound & light in the park.
Superintendent of Police Nisha James said that all measures were taken to trace seven missing fishermen on board fishing boat Suvarna Tribhuja. “A satellite search is underway. The Armed forces are involved in the search operation. Sadly, there is no progress,” she added.
When asked about the recent statement by BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi that the fishermen were found in Dubai, James said that the names of fishermen found in Dubai did not match with the names in the ‘missing’ list currently with the police.
Deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, ZP CEO Sindhu B Rupesh and SP Nisha James were also present.
