Madikeri MLA Takes Action on Ration Card Confusion and LPG Crisis
In a decisive move at the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting held in Kushalnagar on Tuesday, Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda issued urgent directives to food department officials to address critical public welfare issues. The MLA focused on rectifying administrative errors and ensuring essential supplies reach those in need.
Immediate Resolution for Ration Card Errors
MLA Manthar Gowda has ordered food department officials to immediately clear up the confusion caused by the conversion of Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards to Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. He emphasized that eligible beneficiaries who were wrongly shifted to APL status must be restored to their correct BPL category without delay. Gowda highlighted that this conversion has caused significant hardship, particularly for tribal families who are being denied ration supplies and other government benefits as a result of the error.
The MLA urged affected cardholders to contact the concerned officials promptly to resolve their cases. Kushalnagar Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee president VP Shashidhar also criticized officials over this ongoing issue, underscoring the community's frustration.
Addressing LPG Cylinder Shortages
During the meeting, Deputy Director of the Food Department Bhimaraya Kellur provided an update on LPG supply in the district. He stated that while there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, the supply of commercial LPG cylinders is severely inadequate. Against a daily requirement of 1,200 commercial cylinders, only 250 are currently being supplied, creating a critical shortage for businesses.
In response, MLA Gowda ordered that LPG be supplied on priority to essential establishments, including hospitals, hostels, anganwadis, hotels, and resorts. He also issued a stern warning against black marketing, overpricing, underweight cylinders, and illegal gas refilling. Officials have been directed to conduct raids and take strict legal action against any violations to ensure fair distribution and safety.
Crackdown on Illegal Construction and Sanitation Issues
Gowda further instructed officials to prevent illegal construction along riverbanks and lakes in Kushalnagar taluk. He mandated that no buildings should be permitted within 50 metres of rivers and six metres of lakes to protect environmental integrity. The MLA also called for immediate action on the development of Kushalnagar Tavarekere to enhance local infrastructure.
Raising serious sanitation concerns at the APMC yard's weekly market, Gowda objected to waste being dumped and burnt on the riverbank. He pulled up officials for this negligence and directed that sanitation work and toll collection from street vendors be handed over to the Kushalnagar municipality for better management and accountability.
Progress on Sewerage Project
In a positive development, the MLA announced that the Kushalnagar sewerage project is nearly complete and is scheduled to be inaugurated by the end of the month. Households will be required to pay a one-time maintenance fee of Rs 3,000 for sewer connections, while commercial buildings will pay up to Rs 10,000, ensuring sustainable upkeep of the new system. This initiative aims to improve public health and environmental conditions in the area.
