Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Apr 19: The quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting, held at the Nethravathi Hall of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, addressed critical regional challenges ranging from administrative delays in rural employment to urgent environmental violations.

District in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who presided over the meeting, highlighted that new projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)—recently renamed as Vikas Bharat–GRJ—are currently stalled. The delay is attributed to the absence of an official notification from the Central Government, despite the scheme receiving parliamentary and presidential approval. However, the minister assured that previously sanctioned works would continue for the next six months to ensure job continuity.

Administrative hurdles and targets

District officials informed the committee that a target of 1.30 crore man-days has been set for April. While states await official directives for new projects, annual action plans are being processed through the Yuktadhara portal.

Addressing land-related grievances, MLA Harish Poonja pointed out that 419 applications under Section 94C remain pending in Beltangady taluk. Deputy commissioner Darshan H V clarified that of the 2,041 cases pending in late 2025, the vast majority have been resolved. The remaining cases are largely stuck due to forest department clearances and legal objections.

Water security and disaster management

With the peak of summer approaching, the minister issued strict directives to local bodies to identify water-scarce pockets. Currently, the water level at the Thumbe Dam is sufficient to meet the city’s needs until mid-June.

Back-up arrangements have been made at the AMR and Harekala dams. Officials noted that water tankers are already operational in parts of Ullal. Furthermore, Rs 25 crore has been earmarked for landslide prevention in rural areas, and urban local bodies have been tasked with completing drainage desilting before the monsoon.