Karwar: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmi Priya has directed officials to conduct thorough investigations into cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the district.
Presiding over the district-level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting at the DC office in Karwar, she emphasized the need to collect detailed information on such cases and ensure justice for the victims. She instructed the police department to properly investigate the registered cases and file charge sheets promptly.
The DC also addressed concerns regarding the recruitment of civic workers, stating that all appointed personnel must be engaged in civic duties. Complaints had been received about some workers being assigned to other tasks. She ordered local authorities to investigate and submit a written report.
Regarding complaints about the quality of laptops distributed to medical students at KIMS, she instructed officials to inspect the devices. If any defects were found, she directed that new laptops be provided by the supplying agency. Additionally, she stressed the importance of ensuring that medical and nursing students receive learning materials at the beginning of the academic year and that scholarship distribution should not face any delays.
DC Lakshmi Priya also instructed officials to protect SC/ST burial grounds from encroachments and to provide essential infrastructure, including compound walls. She further emphasized the proper utilization of funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes in all departments. Additionally, she ordered the timely distribution of nutritional food to the Siddi community every month.
According to District Social Welfare Officer Umesh, a total of 122 atrocity cases have been registered in Uttara Kannada since 2022, of which charge sheets have been filed in 88 cases. A total of ₹198 lakh has been disbursed as compensation.
The meeting was attended by Government Prosecutor Sunita Nagekar, District Urban Development Cell Project Director Stella Varghese, KIMS Dean Dr. Poornima, Vigilance and Monitoring Committee members Deepak Kudalkar and Yamuna Gaukar, along with officials from various departments.