Coordination among officials essential for development, says MP

Ballari Lok Sabha member and Chairman of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) E. Tukaram has said that development is possible only when officials work in close coordination.

Chairing the third quarterly meeting of the district-level DISHA committee at the Zilla Panchayat conference hall in Ballari on Wednesday, he directed officials to come fully prepared with comprehensive information about their departments. Such preparedness, he said, will help in effectively presenting proposals before the State and Central governments to secure adequate funds for development works.

Expressing concern over the implementation of the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, the MP noted that more loan applications have been rejected than sanctioned in the district and sought to know why it is so.

“The scheme has not been effectively realised. Banks are showing little concern towards farmers. The Lead Bank meetings are not being held regularly,” he said and instructed agriculture and horticulture officials to guide farmers in submitting proper documentation for loans and to focus on crop insurance enrolment.

Referring to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Yard in the city, Mr. Tukaram said that sheds are lying unused while farmers are selling produce on the roads.

“The officials must ensure that farmers utilise the designated facilities. Prepare a master plan to build modern agricultural markets in all taluks. A vehicle weighbridge constructed in Sandur taluk at a cost of ₹25 lakh is now rusting due to lack of maintenance. Accountability for misuse of public funds must be fixed,” he said.

Discussing law and order issues, the MP instructed the police to intensify night patrolling in view of theft cases and to curb illegal activities such as gambling. “Instances of ragging in degree and pre-university colleges are being reported. The Municipal Commissioner should ensure the installation of CCTV cameras on college campuses,” he said.

In a move towards digital governance, Mr. Tukaram said that tablets will be distributed to tahsildars and taluk panchayat executive officers under NMDC CSR funds by June to facilitate paperless DISHA and KDP meetings on the lines of Parliament. He also sought details from the DDPI regarding funds released under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for sports equipment, greening of schools and skill development programmes.

The MP directed National Highways Authority officials to prepare a scientific report to obtain Central approval for a proposed four-lane road from TB Centre Junction to the National Highway near Veeniveerapura and a ring road connecting Siruguppa Road. He asked State Highways authorities to expedite the Ballari-Siruguppa road works and called for repair of RO drinking water units ahead of summer to prevent scarcity.

Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussain suggested identifying common health deficiencies among children in the district to formulate targeted intervention programmes.

Sandur MLA E. Annapurna, MLC Y.M. Satish, Deputy Commissioner Nagendra Prasad K., Zilla Panchayat CEO Mohammed Harris Sumair, Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar, Municipal Commissioner P.S. Manjunath and other district-level officials were present at the meeting.