Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Apr 5: The 25th and the last general body meeting of the Udupi district panchayat were held at Dr V S Acharya auditorium, Manipal.

The members of the panchayat took the ITDP officer to task for harassing the contractor for payment even after Rs 7.5 lac is released from the KRDL department.

Siddapur district panchayat member Rohit Kumar Shetty alleged that the payment to the contractor is stalled by making excuses that the water level is not as expected, even after the contractor completed the work back in 2017. The official however said that Rs 4.5 lac is paid and Rs 3 lac is pending for payment.

Member Janardhan Thonse alleged that corruption and financial irregularities are taking place in the matter of digging wells. “The work that should be completed in a year is being extended to the next year.” He urged for probe and action by the forest department to prevent the menace of monkeys and other forest animals.

Member Reshma said that surveying of land in the district has not been possible due to the strike. "3,426 applications have been received and several others are pending for survey," she said.

Member Babu Shetty said that dredging for dam and transporting of sand has become a major business for the small irrigation department. It should be investigated in a proper manner, he argued.

Project officer Srinivas said that disposing of poultry waste is a challenge. "There are 155 waste disposal units and the units for manure are opened only at three places," he said.

Divya Ameen urged to impose a fine on those who throw trash in public places. Shashikant Padubidri said that there are no basic facilities at the beach. Janardhan Thonse informed that the road work at Kotambail is of inferior quality.

CEO Navin Bhat, Dinakar Babu, president, Sheela K Shetty, Sumith Shetty, Shobha G Putran, Pratap Hegde Marali, and others were present.