Mangaluru: In order to involve local people in administration, a decentralised system came in and more priority has been given to Gram Panchayats (GPs). It is very necessary to provide basic infrastructure to the village panchayats and the officials working there. However, it is very sad to see that a Village Accountant’s (VAs) office in Kudupu in Mangaluru taluk is in a dilapidated condition. In addition to that, the staff is forced to work in the dark as the power connection has been withdrawn owing to the pending electricity bills.
The Kudupu Gram Panchayat along with some of other the villages came under the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits in 2003. Hence, the works under the gram panchayats shifted to MCC thereafter. With this, the gram panchayat building lay vacant since 2003 wearing a deserted look. However, the GP VAs continued to execute their duties from the same building.
Two villages namely Kudupu and Pachanady come under this VA’s office and issuing of caste and income certificate and revenue collection of the villages being are being done here only. Though the burden of works is extreme, the VA and his assistant should have to execute all of them. The tiles of the building are broken and there are cracks on the walls. There is no water connection and road connectivity to this building. Another building meant for a health sub centre located adjacent to the gram panchayath building, is also in a sorry status.
Village Accountant of Kudupu Mahesh C R when contacted, told newskarnataka.com that he had already reported it to the Tahasildar of Mangaluru. “I hope our revenue department and MCC would soon take appropriate measures to repair the building and rectify all the problems”, he added.
Mayor Bhaskar K when contacted, informed that though there was a plan to repair the building, He added that some portions of the land belonging to Kudupu Gram Panchayat will be utilised for fourlaning of the NH 169 on Kulashekar- Moodbidri-Karkala stretch. The repair works will be undertaken soon after the fourlaning of national highway, he informed.
I will visit and rectify problems: MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty
Mangaluru North MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty told newskarnataka.com that he would visit the place immediately. “Necessary measures will be taken to sort out all the problems pertaining to the VA’s office and repair the abandoned GP building”, he added.
