Absenteeism continues to mar KDP meet

[email protected] (CD Network,Photos by Savitha B R)
August 11, 2011

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Mangalore, August 11: As many as 42 officials of various departments were absent for the monthly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meet held at the Zilla Panchayat office here on Thursday.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. K N Vijayaprakash ordered the absentees to produce a show-cause for their absence. The absence of officials has plagued the KDP monthly meetings for quite some time now.

Questioning officials about pending works under the 2008-09 Indira Avaas Yojana, Mr Vijayaprakash instructed them to complete the projects without further delay or face serious action. In Puttur out of the 238 houses sanctioned 237 were complete while in Bantwal 70 houses were still pending.

Deputy Director of Women and Children Welfare Department informed in the meeting that the payment of salary, grant for the month of July was still pending.

She also informed the CEO that the construction of Anganawadi centres was still under progress. According to the maintenance report of the DK ZP, Rs. 1.75 lakhs were allotted to an Anganawadi centre in Mandekol village in Sullia taluk in a span of two years and it was still under construction.

The inquiries of the CEO about the activities of various development programmes handled by different departments were often met by answers ranging from the “lack of personnel” to “lack of information”.

Some of the queries went unanswered due to the absence of officials.

Replying to a question from the CEO for not achieving the expected rate for immunication, officials from Health and Family Welfare department said that the decrease in birth rates was the major reason for a visibly bad record. They also informed that the infant mortality rate is 13 for every 1000 births while the maternal mortality rate was 93 for 100000 women.

Officials said that 16 cases of filaria have been discovered in the district especially in coastal areas. Even though filarial vaccinations were mass administered twice a year, lack of civic responsibility in maintaining clean surroundings was the cause for disease. The officials from Kolache Nirmulana Mandali were absent to answer queries.

Dr Vijayaprakash instructed the Deputy Director, Women's Development Corporation to initiate new steps for the development of rural women in line with the developments in the modern world. “Tailoring classes and beauty parlor classes have become too primitive”, he opined.

The discussion on the progress of education took majority of the stipulated time. CEO quizzed the officials as it was found that repair works at 575 Anganawadi buildings across the districts were pending.

A suggestion was also floated to provide caste certificates to SC/ST students at school. It was also recommended that if any SC/ST student quit school, then the school should be held responsible. Officials also answered questions about the progress made by them under the “Marali Baa Shalege” programme.

Officials informed that out of the “known” 63 students who had left school, 58 were encouraged to go back.

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News Network
November 19,2024

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In the wake of the tragic drowning of three students at a resort near Ullal on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, the tourism department in Dakshina Kannada is set to implement comprehensive safety guidelines for properties with swimming pools or beach access. This initiative aims to ensure guest safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

New Safety Mandates for Resorts and Homestays

Rashmi S.R., deputy director (in-charge) of the tourism department, announced, “We will instruct all homestays and resorts to enforce precautionary measures, especially those with pools or direct beach access. Properties must ensure 24/7 supervision, particularly during guest hours. This tragedy highlights the importance of having trained personnel on-site.”

Key Safety Guidelines

The district, home to around 150 homestays and 130 resorts, will see the following measures enforced:

  • Clearly displaying pool depths.
  • Installing adequate safety equipment, such as life buoys.
  • Employing trained lifeguards at all times.
  • Establishing clear pool operating hours.
  • Reviewing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pool and beach usage.

Booming Beach Tourism Calls for Vigilance

Manohar Shetty, president of the Association for Coastal Tourism (ACT), Udupi, highlighted the growing popularity of beachside resorts, particularly during peak seasons. Properties in Udupi, often fully booked with tourists from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga, face increasing pressure to maintain safety standards.

Udupi district boasts 22 beachside commercial properties catering to this rising demand.

Shetty emphasized, “Authorities must scrutinize safety measures and carefully evaluate guidelines before issuing new resort licenses. Panchayats should rely on the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act when handling such cases.”

Long-Term Solutions for Water Safety

Recognizing the need for a cultural shift in water safety, Shetty proposed integrating swimming lessons into school curricula. This move would not only equip students with essential skills but also encourage safe participation in water-based activities.

A Safer Tomorrow for Coastal Tourism

As the tourism sector thrives, Mangaluru’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to visitor safety. The tragic incident serves as a wake-up call, propelling the industry towards stricter regulations and better preparedness, ensuring that coastal vacations remain both enjoyable and safe.

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News Network
November 26,2024

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Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (Secular) is grappling with its most tumultuous political crisis yet, with speculation rife about imminent defections among its lawmakers. This storm comes in the aftermath of party scion Nikhil Kumaraswamy's humiliating defeat in the Channapatna bypoll—his third consecutive electoral loss after setbacks in Mandya (2019) and Ramanagara (2023). With the regional party’s Assembly tally shrinking to 18 from 19, questions are being raised about its survival.

The murmurs of rebellion were amplified on Monday when Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Congress MLA CP Yogeshwar openly hinted at possible desertions within the JD(S) ranks. Yogeshwar, newly elected from Channapatna, declared he could orchestrate a migration of JD(S) MLAs to Congress. “I’ll meet them at the Belagavi session. Within a month, they’ll be in Congress,” he confidently stated during a televised interview. Yogeshwar has a history of engineering defections, having played a pivotal role in the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in 2019 during his stint with the BJP.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, not mincing words, slammed the JD(S) leadership for fostering "self-serving politics," criticizing the HD Deve Gowda family for failing to nurture party talent. “There’s no trust. Their MLAs will seek survival—either in BJP or Congress,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the expelled JD(S) state president CM Ibrahim added fuel to the fire by claiming that 12-13 MLAs are "disillusioned" with the current leadership. Speculations around senior JD(S) leader GT Deve Gowda joining Congress have also intensified. DK Shivakumar, Karnataka’s Deputy CM and Congress president, described GT Deve Gowda as a “valuable leader” who might be frustrated with the party’s internal dynamics.

While Congress leaders seem eager to poach JD(S) legislators, the BJP is not far behind in targeting the floundering party. The situation signals a decisive moment for the JD(S), as its survival now hinges on how it manages this brewing storm of discontent.

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News Network
November 17,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, November 17, at Vazco Resort (VAZCO), situated at Battappadi Cross Road in Someshwara on the outskirts of the city, when three young women drowned in the resort’s swimming pool. 

Disturbingly, an iPhone recording and CCTV footage captured their final moments, providing insights into the heartbreaking accident.

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the tragedy occurred at approximately 10:05 AM. The victims were identified as:

Keerthana N (21) from Devaraj Mohalla, Hebbal Second Stage, Vijayanagar Post.
Nishitha M.D (21) from 4th Cross, Kuribarahalli, Mysuru.
Parvathi S (20) from Ramanuja Road, K.R. Mohalla, Mysuru.

Sequence of Events

The three women had checked into Room No. 2 of the resort on the morning of November 16 and stayed overnight. On Sunday morning, around 10 AM, they entered the swimming pool to play. Reports suggest that they placed their clothes poolside and set an iPhone to record the activity.

Initial findings indicate one woman slipped underwater and began to struggle. When the second attempted a rescue, she too drowned, followed by the third woman. Within minutes, the tragedy claimed all three lives. CCTV footage from the resort corroborates the sequence, showing the young women struggling before succumbing to the water.

Investigation Underway

The resort staff discovered the lifeless bodies and immediately raised the alarm. Ullal Police Inspector H N Balakrishna and his team are conducting an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the women were non-swimmers, and the lack of safety measures contributed to the tragedy.

The resort is owned by Manohar, as per police records. While the formal case is yet to be registered, the incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at resorts offering pool facilities.

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