Bhatkal: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Dr. Dileesh Sashi, has directed officials to ensure that the e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) process of active workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is completed by October 31, in accordance with the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Presiding over a meeting held at the Bhatkal Taluk Panchayat Hall to review the progress of various development schemes, Dr. Sashi stated that the e-KYC verification of job cards of active MGNREGA workers is currently underway across the district as per the directions of the Central and State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Departments. He emphasized that all Gram Panchayats should complete the process immediately through a special campaign.

Dr. Sashi also instructed officials to ensure effective solid waste management at the Gram Panchayat level. He suggested imposing and collecting taxes from shops, business establishments, and households, and selling the collected waste to generate additional revenue. This, he said, would help Gram Panchayats become self-reliant in bearing the expenses of waste disposal.

The meeting reviewed various schemes and programs including MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission, tax collection, housing projects, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), library services, Anganwadi centers, the 15th Finance Commission grants, Nal Jal Mitra Program, HESCOM bill payments, e-attendance system, NRLM, health, and education. Necessary directions were issued to the concerned departments to ensure effective implementation.

Among those present were Assistant Secretary of Zilla Panchayat M.S. Allah Baksh, Planning Director Karim Asadi, Assistant Secretary of the Development Wing Prakash Halmanoor, Chief Planning Officer Soum Shekhar Mesta, Bhatkal Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Sunil M, taluk-level officers from various departments, all Gram Panchayat Development Officers, and staff of the Taluk Panchayat.