Zilla Panchayat president Dinakar Babu on Friday said it was essential to popularise programmes and schemes of the Agriculture Department among farmers in the district.
He was chairing the monthly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting here.
Mr. Babu said that since beneficiaries were not applying for various schemes and programmes, the targets were not being reached. The government was providing 90% subsidy for sprinklers. It was providing financial help for purchasing agriculture equipment and mini-tractors to farmers. They should also take advantage of the Bhoo Samridhi and Krishi Bhagya schemes, he said.
Anthony Maria Immanuel, Joint Director of Agriculture, said the district had received 18% less monsoon rain than average so far. But, the heavy rain, which lashed the district last week, would lead to healthy crop growth. There was enough stock of fertilizers in the district, he said.
Mr. Babu said the cleanliness and sanitation programmes were being implanted effectively in many places in the district by the people, voluntary organizations and youth associations. But, the cleanliness in government offices had left a lot to be desired.
Officers should take immediate action to keep their offices and surroundings clean. They should reduce the use of plastic materials and follow the Green Protocols adopted by the district administration, he said.
Mr. Babu said the delay in the distribution of below the poverty line (BPL) cards was responsible for the poor people being unable to avail healthcare treatment at hospitals.
BPL cards
An officer of the Food and Civil Supplies Department said eligible beneficiaries who had applied for BPL cards for the sake of availing healthcare treatment would be given temporary cards. Already 1,191 BPL cards had been printed and they would be dispatched by post to the beneficiaries, he said.
Babu Shetty, chairman of Zilla Panchayat Standing Committee on Social Justice, took the Karnataka Road Transport Corporation officers to task for not providing bus facility from Kundapur to Shiroor. He sought a report from the officers on this issue.
