S. Mareppa, chairman, Safai Karmachari Development Corporation, on Friday, expressed displeasure with the Hassan district administration over the ‘disregard’ shown to him during his visit to the district. He was forced into a tense situation during his visit to a locality of pourakarmikas as he was not escorted by the police.
“There was a tense situation during my visit. I managed to come out safe, pacifying both groups because I have been with the people’s movement for decades,” he told presspersons later in the day. He visited Nirmala Nagar and Chikkanala localities in the morning. He was accompanied by officers of the Hassan City Municipal Council.
The government had constructed a community hall named after Jagjivan Ram for the benefit of municipal workers in the locality. However, a section of other communities living closeby wanted the hall handed over to them to hold programmes. During Mr. Mareppa’s visit, the two groups entered into a heated argument over the issue. “It was a tough situation. For the first time, I felt the need for police. However, I am told the police were not aware of my visit. The Deputy Commissioner’s office had not informed the police. Somehow, I pacified both the groups and returned,” he said.
A meeting with district level officers was scheduled at 11 a.m. However, only officers from urban local bodies and the Social Welfare Department were present when it began. A few minutes later, K.M. Janaki, Zilla Panchayat CEO, arrived. Additional Deputy Commissioner B.R. Poornima entered the hall 30 minutes after the meeting began. Mr. Mareppa said, “Despite my tour plan being sent to the district well in advance, the officers were not informed. District officer of Ambedkar Development Corporation was not seen at the meeting. His role in implementing the schemes of our corporation is significant. What meeting can be conducted if he is not participating?”
He called off the meeting stating that he would reschedule in a few minutes. “I took charge as the chairman on August 24 this year. This was my eighth district visit. I am deeply disappointed by the officers’ approach. Do they treat all commissions, corporations in the similar fashion,” he wondered.
