Karwar (DHNS): District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Pujari said that a district-level convention will be held in Kumta (before March 12) to extend the benefits of various social welfare schemes. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will attend the convention.

He told this to press persons after chairing a meeting with officials on Friday to review the preparation made for the convention.

Pujari also informed that the land belonging to the Horticulture, and Backward Classes Welfare Departments in Kumta has been finalised for the super specialty hospital and during his visit, the chief minister will lay the foundation stone for it. 

Pujari said that he has asked officials must identify a maximum number of beneficiaries from every department in the district so that the government schemes reach the majority of people.

31,903 beneficiaries

The officials told him about the number of beneficiaries identified by them. This includes 527 by Agriculture Department, 148 by Horticulture Department, six by Sericulture Department, 349 by Forest Department, 27 by Education Department, 19 by Social Welfare Department, 10 by Industries & Commerce Department, 72 by Skill department, 123 by Animal Husbandry Department, 1,214 by Labour Department, 249 by Revenue Department, 182 by Women & Children Welfare Development, 226 by  Fisheries Department, 608 by Urban Development Department, 7,513 by HESCOM, 20,438 by Rural Development Department and 192 by Kannada & Culture Department.

In all, 31,903 beneficiaries have been selected by various departments, officials explained. Regarding sand mining, Pujari said that efforts are being made to allow sand mining in the district. They are trying to get an exemption just like Dakshina Kannada.

MLA Roopali Naik, Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Zilla Panchayat CEO Iswar Kandoo, Probationary IAS Officer Zubin Mahopatra, DCF K C Prashanthkumar were present.

No decision on Karavali Utsav 

District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Pujari said that the final decision on holding Karavali Utsav has not yet been taken.

"As exams are nearing, pros and cons of the festival are being assessed," he said.