MGNREGS in Dakshina Kannada; Works worth Rs 8 cr done in just 11 days!

[email protected] (Naina J A, Deccan Herald)
April 4, 2011

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Mangalore, April 4: The Dakshina Kannada district has made a 'significant record' by implementing works worth nearly Rs 8 crore in just 11 days, under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Even in 2009, the district had implemented works worth Rs 12 crore in just one month, which was later termed as a 'bogus progress.'

According to the official website, as on April 2, works worth Rs 1,821.05 lakh have been implemented in Dakshina Kannada district during financial year 2010-11. However, on March 21, works worth only Rs 1,036.86 lakh was implemented in the district. On March 29, works worth Rs 1,348.45 lakh have been implemented while on April 1, works worth Rs 1,788.20388 lakh has been implemented. Interestingly, on March 1, works worth Rs 634.23 lakh was implemented in the district. According to sources, “normally gram panchayats have shown Rs 7 lakh to Rs 8 lakh improvement in implementing works.

However, here about Rs Rs 784.19193 lakh worth works have been completed in just 11 days, which is highly impossible.”

According to the website, in Bantwal taluk, works worth Rs 583.92 lakh has been implemented during the period. Belthangady taluk has implemented works worth Rs 480.30 lakh. Mangalore taluk has implemented works worth Rs 357.06 lakh. Works worth Rs 252.44 lakh has been implemented in Puttur taluk while Sullia taluk has registered implementation of works worth Rs 141.72 lakh.

Sources said though Bantwal taluk tops the district in the implementation of MGNREGS, its administrative expenditure is only Rs 19.78 lakh. “However, the administrative expense of Belthangady taluk is Rs 79.70 lakh which is really startling.”

The performance of few gram panchayats too raises eyebrows. According to the website, Amaramudnoor Gram Panchayat in Sullia taluk has implemented works worth Rs 35.7211 lakh. Naravi GP has utilised Rs 75.11 lakh under MGNREGS while Neriya GP has implemented works worth Rs 40.80 lakh. In Bantwal taluk, Kedila Gram Panchayat has shown works worth Rs 32.10 lakh and Kolnadu Gram Panchayat has implemented works worth Rs 56.71 lakh. In Mangalore taluk, works worth Rs 60.43 lakh has been implemented in Neermarga Gram Panchayat limits.

Job cards

The job cards have been issued to 90,263 unemployed persons in the district till April 2. Of which, employment have been provided to 25,357 persons. In Puttur taluk, 81 families have completed 100 days work, 373 families have completed 100 days work in Puttur, 182 families in Belthangady, 372 families in Mangalore and 31 families in Sullia taluk. A total of 16,600 works are under progress in Dakshina Kannada district.

When contacted Zilla Panchayat CEO P Shivashankar, he said: “I also have doubts over the progress made in the district under MGNREGS. We will go for 100 per cent verification of the March expenditure report. What has appeared in the website may be a provisional figures. We will come to know the final figures only after the verification. Moreover, I have issued a circular to all the Gram Panchayats not to make the payment for those works which have been undertaken after March 28,” he said.

“We had similar progress in the month of March last year. The trend has been continued even this year,” the CEO said.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Udupi, Nov 11: A traveller reportedly lost ₹4.1 lakh after attempting to book a cab online in Udupi. 

At around 1:30 PM on November 7, the man from West Bengal searched for car rentals on Google and selected a website named "Shakti Car Rentals." Shortly after, he was contacted by someone claiming to be "Rohit Sharma," who directed him to pay a registration fee of ₹150 on the site.

After unsuccessful payment attempts via both his Canara Bank debit card and SBI credit card (without receiving an OTP), "Rohit Sharma" instructed him to pay the driver directly. But at 1:47 PM, he received messages showing deductions of ₹3.3 lakh from his SBI credit card and ₹80,056 from his Canara Bank debit card, totaling ₹4.1 lakh.

The complainant alleges fraud through a deceptive link disguised as a booking token fee. A case has been registered at Udupi Town Police Station.

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November 12,2024

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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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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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