Housing scheme delay rocks TP general meeting

[email protected] (News Network, photo by Ahmed Anwer)
March 9, 2011
Mangalore, March 9: The newly elected members to the Mangalore Taluk Panchayat In their maiden general meeting here on Tuesday took officials to task over the delay in selecting beneficiaries for government housing schemes.

Taluk panchayats had been directed to identify government land where house sites can be allotted to those in need.

Members from several constituencies complained that their villages had not been surveyed. An official from the taluk office listed the area of land that had been identified in numerous villages, prompting many members to demand that an order copy be sent to them, listing the area of land and survey number.

A member representing the Munnur village said that in the last 34 years not a single application had been approved for government housing in the Munnur Gram Panchayat.

He said that under the Ashraya Housing Scheme, women were to be given sites, but it was not possible as there were technical difficulties in transferring title deeds in their names.. Beneficiaries in six out of seven areas in his constituency faced this problem, he said.

The official from the taluk office said there were provisions, but the Munnur member was not satisfied with the answer.

A member from Manjanady constituency said nearly 50 beneficiaries had been rendered ineligible as the criteria for allotting the sites had changed.

A member from Yekkar constituency brought up the issue of alleged illegal stone quarrying on government and patta land in Badaga Yekkar. Tahsildar C. Manjunath, who arrived late, said that a case had been registered in Bajpe police station and an inquiry was in progress.

When the member sought to seek more clarification, Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel intervened and told him to sit down asking officials to take up the next point on the agenda.

Earlier, he skipped the issue of mining and sand transportation saying that the tahsildar was not present.

Replying to the action taken on the issue of sand transportation, Mr. Manjunath said permits were not being issued without the consent of the gram panchayat.

He said the department had acted on several complaints related to illegal transportation of sand, but every time, they found nothing amiss. He said the GPS systems had been installed. Irregularities and lack of clarity about procedures in applying for and making changes to ration cards were discussed at length.

Panchayat president Bhavya Poojary and vice-president Vijayalakshmi Shetty had hardly made any comment to make on issues raised and they kept busy discussing among themselves and with the MP, though.

The only time Ms. Poojary spoke was to ask members to introduce themselves at the start of the meeting.

TP

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News Network
November 18,2024

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Mangaluru: A 14-year-old boy, Subodh, tragically lost his life after being struck by lightning while sitting outside his home in Kedila village, Bantwal taluk, on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred around 5:30 PM while Subodh, an 8th-grade student at Kalladka Shriram High School, was seated outside his house. Lightning struck him, leaving him unconscious. 

Family members rushed him to a nearby clinic and later to a private hospital in Puttur, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival.

The boy's body was sent to Puttur Government Hospital for a post-mortem.

Tahsildar Archana Bhat has directed revenue officials to assist the grieving family. Vitla Revenue Inspector Prashanth Shetty, Village Administrative Officer Anil Kumar, Kedila Panchayat President Harish Valtaje, and panchayat members visited the family to offer their condolences and support.

This heartbreaking incident highlights the unpredictability of nature’s fury, leaving a community mourning the untimely loss of a young life.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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News Network
November 19,2024

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The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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