Guarantee Scheme Implementation Authority District President Teethira Dharmaja Uthappa presided over a meeting held recently at the Z.P. KDP Hall in Madikeri to review the effective implementation and monitoring of government guarantee schemes.
Speaking at the meeting, he said a large number of students from rural areas study at the Government Pre-University College in Polibetta and are facing difficulties due to the lack of KSRTC bus services.
Virajpet Taluk Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee Chairman P.V. Johnson stated that the public and college authorities have requested bus services on the Periyapatna-Maldare, Chennangi, Chennayyankote, Polibetta, Ammatthi and Virajpet routes during morning and evening hours. He urged officials to consider the matter seriously.
Committee member K.G. Peter expressed concern that Kodagu district still does not have a KSRTC divisional office, while all 30 district centres in the state have such offices. He urged the government to establish a divisional office in Madikeri at the earliest, which would facilitate the deployment of more buses.
Somwarpet Taluk Committee Chairman Kantaraju suggested that a delegation should meet the Transport Minister and the Chief Minister to press for the establishment of a KSRTC divisional office in Madikeri.
Responding to the issue, KSRTC Manager Eerasappa said bus connectivity has been provided in several places based on public demand, though requests for additional services continue from many areas.
Johnson also pointed out that the KSRTC bus service to KGF in Kolar district had been discontinued for several months and requested that it be resumed.
Dharmaja Uthappa instructed the concerned officials to examine the issue and continue bus services that were operating earlier.
Raising another issue, Dharmaja Uthappa said that several poor families have been issued APL ration cards and expressed dissatisfaction that the matter had not been corrected despite being raised in previous meetings.
Food Inspector Sheela Kumari informed that a total of 4,511 ration cards in the district had been converted to APL based on government income criteria, including households earning above Rs. 1.20 lakh annually. She added that eligible beneficiaries whose cards were converted to APL could apply to the respective Taluk Tahsildar or Food Inspector with relevant documents to have them reconsidered for BPL status after verification.
Ponnampet Taluk Committee Chairman Prashanth said the public and students in Gonikoppa face daily difficulties due to insufficient government bus services, particularly on Sundays, and appealed for additional buses.
KSRTC Madikeri Unit Manager Eerasappa responded that buses operate every half hour on the Virajpet-Gonikoppa-Mysuru route but assured that the matter would be reviewed.
Prashanth also highlighted the shortage of electricity linemen in the Srimangala area and urged immediate deployment of staff to ensure adequate power supply.
Responding to the concern, Dharmaja Uthappa said that out of 291 sanctioned linemen posts in the district, only 51 senior linemen are currently on duty and 19 additional linemen have recently been deployed, which may help improve the situation.
