Udupi: It appears that Udupi taluk panchayath members are least interested in working for their respective constituency. On Tuesday, during a meeting held at the Taluk Panchayath, only 8 of the members raised issues and problems in their constituency while the rest of them were mere spectators.
These members, according to a media report, always complain and blame that they do not get enough funds from the government for the taluk panchayath and are trying to remove the taluk panchayath system. But it was also visible during the meeting that the members themselves are least bothered in solving problems of their constituency.
There are 41 taluk panchayath members. At the beginning of the meeting, there is a question hour. The members should submit a written document a week before the meeting about the problems and growth of their respective constituencies. But on Tuesday, there was no question hour in the meeting, it has been reported. This means that an important session of question hour, where members discuss the issues with the officials and get response from them was skipped.
Few members raised issues in their constituency but the officials who were not ready with answers assured them by saying that they would answer them in the next meeting.
Earlier, there was a power point presentation on the effects on using Tobacco, the act, penalty, fines by the Health department for half an hour. Journalists present at the meeting observed that instead of watching it, most of the members were busy speaking on their phones or texting.
Bhaskar Uchila personally honoured an MESCOM officer who gave a timely solution for the electricity problem in his constituency. This was a special highlight of the meet.
Solarlights proposal sent back:
This year, a proposal of Rs 28 lakhs for solarlights has been sent for Zilla Panchayath’s approval but was returned by saying that the amount was much lesser than asked for, officers said. Umesh Naik objected it by saying that for solarlights, a proposal of Rs 71 lakhs was approved but this year it is a lesser amount. He then questioned as to why it is being sent back.
Devdas Hebbar said that 80% of the gram panchayaths have not paid the electricity bills and thus MESCOM has not given approval for new ones. So they have to go with solar lights as there is no any other alternative. “So the Zilla panchayath should approve it”, he said.
