Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath chairing the Praja Seva Andolana in Mangaluru on Saturday.
MCC officials said a proposal would be prepared within 15 days. Replying to which he alleged that he had inaugurated around 55 parks and 40 lakes, but none received upkeep, and suggested CSR support from banks, corporates and organisations for park maintenance. Kamath said several stands had been lost during road widening, while the number of autorickshaws had increased. Stay updated with the latest Mangaluru news.
Several residents said their BPL cards had been converted to above poverty line (APL) status following which Sandhya Suraksha, widow and old-age pensions, had stopped. Kamath said the Karnataka govt had recently temporarily suspended social security pensions for APL card holders and that the issue was statewide. Kamath directed officials to take disability pension cases on priority, and said he would raise the issue with the state govt. Vande Mataram issue During the inauguration of the programme, only two stanzas of Vande Mataram were sung, to which a complainant objected, responding to which Vedavyas Kamath urged the complainant to be calm, and said that the intention of the programme was to be focused, and added that they have to respect the Supreme Court’s decision.
Applicants sought restoration of BPL status, saying the loss of benefits was affecting poor families. Five families of persons with disabilities also raised the issue. Complaints were also received from BPL card holders who had not received pensions for several months. Ration card, e-KYC , caste and income certificate, UGD, road and other issues were also raised. The meeting, chaired by Mangaluru City South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, brought officials of various departments together to resolve grievances at a single forum under the state govt’s Prajaseva Andolana initiative. Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi representative G Hanumanth Kamath sought simplification of land conversion and single-site approval procedures, citing delays involving Muda and the taluk office. Mallurgudde residents sought better access to healthcare and education, while a complaint over a steep stretch and lack of a proper road near Bajal led to a spot inspection. Dakshina Kannada District Ex-Servicemen’s Association representatives Capt V Deepak Adyanthaya and veteran Sudheer Pai M sought a retaining wall at Sainik Bhavan, Bhavutagudde. Former corporator Manohar complained about poor maintenance of Mallikatte Park, referring to the recent theft of Kadri Gopalnath’s saxophone and seeking better upkeep and a watchman. Autorickshaw representatives raised the issue of a shortage of parking spaces in the Central Market. Deputy commissioner Darshan directed health officials to assess medicine availability at PHCs on a complaint, and on inadequate ICU beds at Wenlock hospital, he suggested advance coordination with nearby hospitals when beds were unavailable. Addressing the gathering, Kamath urged officials to find lawful solutions rather than merely explain why grievances could not be addressed, and to approach complaints of poor and vulnerable residents with humanity. Download the TOI App.
Mangaluru: Complaints over cancellation or conversion of below poverty line (BPL) ration cards, stoppage of social security pensions and difficulties faced by persons with disabilities dominated the Prajaseva Andolana held in Mangaluru South on Saturday.