Udupi, September 9: District In-charge Minister Rizwan Arshad presided over the inaugural Prajaseva Andolana meeting on Wednesday, September 9, at Manipal's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, where citizens submitted a total of 208 grievance applications to various departments. Minister Arshad patiently listened to the public's concerns, issuing clear instructions to department officials for prompt resolution.
The applications covered a wide spectrum of issues, including land demarcation (khate podi), darakastu land claims, access roads to properties, housing, site allotments, drainage systems, lake development, and concerns related to the Gruha Jyothi scheme. The Revenue Department received the highest number of petitions, accounting for 120, over half of the total. Other departments also saw significant submissions: Udupi City Municipal Council received 12, the Zilla Panchayat 11, and APMC 9. The Religious Endowment Department processed 6 applications, while the Women and Child Welfare Department received 5. MESCOM, the Waqf Board, Transport, Animal Husbandry, and Survey Departments each handled 4 applications. The Education Department and Udupi Urban Development Authority received 3 each. Kannada Culture, DUDC, Police, Ambedkar Corporation, Minor Irrigation, and Social Welfare Departments each received 2 applications, with Agriculture, Public Works, Minority Department, DRCS, ITDP, Labour, and Mining Departments receiving one each.
Among the specific grievances, the Byndoor Taluk Farmers' Association, led by Deepak Kumar Shetty, submitted a petition requesting the exclusion of rural villages from the Byndoor Town Panchayat limits. The association highlighted their year-long indefinite protest outside the Byndoor Taluk Administrative Building, seeking justice. They also voiced strong opposition to the implementation of the Kasturirangan report, urging the state to object to the central government's notification. Responding to the farmers' concerns, Minister Arshad reiterated the state government's clear stance on the Kasturirangan report, noting previous rejections. He assured that a special session would soon be convened for a comprehensive discussion with all political parties.
In another poignant appeal, a woman from Karje near Brahmavar, suffering from breast cancer, brought to the Minister's attention that chemotherapy treatment was not covered under the Ayushman Yojana. She explained that a single high-dose injection for her cancer costs over Rs. 50,000, and doctors had prescribed 16 such injections. Unable to afford the expensive treatment, she appealed for the inclusion of cancer and kidney disease treatments under the Ayushman Yojana. Minister Arshad immediately directed the District Health Officer (DHO) to take appropriate action. Separately, Aarati Miyaru from Nalkoor village complained about contaminated water supplied by her Gram Panchayat, causing health problems for children and senior citizens, and the GP's inaction. The Minister instructed the CEO to personally inspect the site and initiate remedial measures.
The event also featured an exhibition and sales area within the auditorium premises. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department set up an information center on various rural development schemes. The Social Welfare Department and several development corporations provided details on their schemes and loan facilities. The National Rural Livelihood Mission – Sanjeevini displayed and sold Sanjeevini products. Various other departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Ayush, Animal Husbandry, Labour, Fisheries, Women and Child Development, and the Information Consolidation Centre, also showcased their programs. Additionally, the Health Department conducted a health check-up camp for the public.
Image for illustration purposes only
đź“° Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi