Karwar: It is the need of the hour to mobilise the natural resources in Uttara Kannada district which has the longest coastline in the State. Various schemes like the Employment Guarantee Scheme would facilitate such a task, opined District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.
He noted this while speaking after presenting awards to the officials and staff of the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department who played a major role in the effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the district, at a ceremony held in the premises of the Zilla Panchayat here on Friday.
The minister said, Uttara Kannada district has set an example for other districts in the State by achieving a high progress rate in the implementation of the employment guarantee scheme.
The collective efforts of officials of various departments have led to the implementation of different works across the district. There are plans to develop 60 vented dams in the coming days, and necessary support would be ensured for the project, he added.
Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar said, there is an opportunity to use the funds of the employment guarantee scheme to take up various new works. Hence, along with the ongoing projects, the officials concerned should give priority to new projects.
100% manpower
MLA Roopali Naik said, currently, wells are being dug under the MGNREGS using 100% manpower. However, stones at the bottom pose a challenge to labourers. The works can be completed on time if the use of machines is increased to 60% under the scheme. Hence, the minister should raise this issue at the cabinet meeting.
Swachh Bharat Campaign human resource consultant Suryanarayan Bhat said, of the 15 lakh man days target in 2021, 17 lakh man days were created. This year, the target is 17 lakh man days, and already 98.47% target has been achieved.
In the next two months, two lakh man-days would be created, he said and added that there are 85,000 job cards in the district.
MLCs Ganapathi Ulvekar and S V Sankanur, CMC President Nitin Pikale, vice-president Prakash Naik, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer M Priyanga were present.
'Sarvottama' awards
The district in-charge minister honoured the gram panchayats which have excelled in the implementation of the Udyog Khatri scheme with 'Sarvottama' awards.
Hillur gram panchayat in Ankola, Hebale in Bhatkal, Kogilaban in Dandeli, Nagashettykoppa in Haliyal, Manki B in Honnavar, Amadalli in Karwar, Devagiri in Kumta, Chigalli in Mundagod, Nilkund in Siddapur, Itaguli in Sirsi, Shigargaon in Joida, and Kannigeri in Yellapur taluk bagged the awards.
Meanwhile, officials and staff of gram, taluk, and Zilla Panchayat were also honoured under 17 various categories.