The persistent efforts of MLC Ivan D'Souza have finally borne fruit for the Department of Information and Public Relations in Mangaluru. The department, which had been struggling without a dedicated vehicle for over six months, is now set to receive a new one following the direct intervention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
MLC Flags Critical Transport Issue in Legislature
During the recent legislature session on Thursday, MLC Ivan D'Souza brought a pressing issue to the government's notice. He highlighted that the Dakshina Kannada district's information department had been functioning without a vehicle for the past half-year. This severe lack of resources was crippling the department's core function of facilitating media coverage of government programs.
The MLC specifically pointed out the difficulty in ferrying journalists to and from official events due to the absence of a minibus. He directly sought a reply from the Chief Minister on the floor of the House regarding this administrative gap.
Chief Minister's Assurances and Immediate Action
In a prompt response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the legislative assembly that the government had already taken cognizance of the matter. He stated that a Tata Sumo vehicle has already been sanctioned for the department in Dakshina Kannada.
Furthermore, addressing the specific need for journalist conveyance, the CM provided more details. "The finance department has given approval to procure a minibus and the process is under way," Siddaramaiah confirmed in his official reply. This two-pronged solution aims to fully restore the department's mobility and operational capacity.
Addressing Staffing and Vehicle Scrappage Policy
The Chief Minister also responded to queries about vacant driver positions within the department. He assured the House that steps would be initiated to appoint drivers on a contract basis, ensuring the new vehicles are operational immediately.
The root of the problem traces back to the mandatory vehicle scrappage policy. A minibus previously allotted to the district's information department was slated for disposal in June, having completed 15 years of service. As per government policy, all central and state government vehicles older than 15 years must be mandatorily scrapped, which left the department without transport.
The swift resolution of this issue underscores the effectiveness of legislative oversight and highlights the government's commitment to supporting essential media and public relations functions at the district level.
