Deputy Commissioner directs departments to expedite implementation
Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar has directed all concerned government departments to expedite the implementation of programmes under the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme for the welfare and development of minorities.
He was speaking while presiding over the programme’s progress review meeting held on Monday at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to ensure that deserving beneficiaries receive the benefits of various government schemes relating to education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure. He instructed all departmental officials to implement the programmes within the stipulated timeframe.
He also directed officials to provide adequate infrastructure in minority Anganwadis, schools, and student hostels. Where land is unavailable for such facilities, the concerned departments were instructed to submit proposals immediately for securing suitable sites.
Concern over inadequate facilities at Emmemadu Government High School. During the meeting, committee member Hanif said that the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme had been introduced to improve the socio-economic conditions of minorities and urged that it be implemented effectively and systematically.
He pointed out that students at Emmemadu Government High School continue to face difficulties due to inadequate basic facilities, including toilets. He also noted that the school’s kitchen requires urgent repairs and expressed dissatisfaction that the building had not even been whitewashed for several years. Committee members stated that repeated requests had been made over the past year to provide essential facilities to Emmemadu Government High School, but no action had been taken so far.
Committee member Khalid observed that the Government has introduced several welfare programmes to bring minority communities into the mainstream and appealed to the authorities to demonstrate greater commitment in ensuring that poor minority families benefit from these schemes.
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar directed officials to initiate immediate measures for the development of Emmemadu Government High School. He said efforts would also be made to secure financial assistance through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
Khalid further urged the administration to improve basic infrastructure at Hakathur School and residential schools in Kodlipet.
Another committee member drew the meeting’s attention to the closure of the Government school at Hulithala, near Hakathur, and appealed to the administration to take steps to protect the school property.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to obtain inputs from committee members regarding the basic facilities required in their respective localities and ensure that necessary amenities are provided. He emphasised that priority should be given to education, healthcare, Anganwadis, and other essential public services. Â Â Â He also directed the Agriculture Department to furnish details of agricultural wells constructed under its schemes, including information on the number of minority families that had benefited.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed the Horticulture Department to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive assistance under drip irrigation and arecanut development schemes. He also directed the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Departments to effectively implement welfare programmes for minority communities.
Committee member Ismail stated that information regarding the establishment of schools, colleges, and hostels for minority students should be made widely available so that eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of these facilities.
To enhance employment opportunities, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the District Employment Exchange Officer to organise job fairs at both the district and taluk levels.
He also directed officials to ensure the provision of quality food and adequate basic amenities in minority hostels and residential institutions. Where necessary, rented hostel buildings should be identified near schools and colleges to accommodate students.
Referring to the State Government’s plan to fill nearly 70,000 vacancies in a phased manner, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the Minority Welfare Department to organise coaching and training programmes for competitive examinations.
He further suggested that a comprehensive booklet detailing the various schemes implemented by different departments be published jointly to create greater public awareness.
Committee members Abdul Nias, Ismail, Khalid Haji, and Sufian urged banks to extend timely loan facilities to minority beneficiaries to promote self-employment and support small businesses. They also called for the timely implementation of departmental schemes and wider dissemination of information regarding government welfare programmes.
Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena briefed the meeting on initiatives being implemented by departments under his jurisdiction, including Women and Child Development, School Education, Minority Welfare, Wakf, Skill Development, State Financial Institutions, Urban Development, Industries, and Cooperation. He emphasised the need for effective implementation of all welfare programmes.
The meeting was attended by Lead Bank Manager Gangadhara Naik, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police I.P. Medappa, Deputy Director of School Education Basavaraju, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Lingaraju Doddamani, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Shekhar, District Employment Exchange Officer Manjunath, Swachh Bharat Mission Nodal Officer Jeevan Kumar, District Urban Development Cell Engineer Surakoda, Municipal Commissioner H.R. Ramesh, Minority Welfare Officer Sachin, Wakf Officer Irfan, and other officials.
