‘Active participation of officials is crucial for developing mining-hit areas’

Active involvement of officials is essential for the holistic development and rehabilitation of mining-affected areas, Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) Managing Director Sanjay S. Bijjur has said.

He was chairing a review meeting on Tuesday at the NMDC training hall in Donimalai, Sandur taluk, to assess the progress of development works undertaken under the rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) plan for mining-affected regions.

On the directions of the State government, Mr. Bijjur said that a detailed progress report must be submitted to the Supreme Court every six months on the works implemented in villages affected by mining. Therefore, he stressed, officers must show diligence and ensure that projects are executed without delay.

Calling upon officials to personally visit mining-affected villages and assess service deficiencies there, he said that local authorities must conduct thorough inspections of the conditions of rural roads.

Instead of submitting multiple proposals for each stretch, a consolidated proposal covering priority roads should be sent, he told the Public Works Department officials.

Weekly review

Mr. Bijjur instructed that issues related to land acquisition for drinking water supply, sanitation facilities and road development works in Sandur and Ballari taluks must be reviewed every Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner.

“Matters related to housing projects should be reviewed in meetings chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat. Proposals aimed at improving the livelihoods of people in mining-affected areas must be submitted after careful consideration. Several departmental proposals are still pending and officers should submit them at the earliest. If any modifications, additions or deletions are required in the already-submitted proposals, revised proposals must be furnished. After approval, a Detailed Project Report must be prepared,” he said.

He added that approvals have already been granted for repair works in hostels belonging to the Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare, Minority Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare departments. The officials concerned must prepare detailed plans and submit them to the Public Works Department to initiate the works, he added.

Mr. Bijjur also instructed Deputy Director of Public Instruction and mid-day meal officials to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure the proper implementation of supplementary nutrition distribution for students in government primary and high schools within mining-affected taluks.

He directed that notices be issued to AYUSH officials and others who remained absent from the meeting.

KMERC Managing Director Sanjay S. Bijjur inspecting the KMERC’s sprouted pulses distribution programme for children at a Government High School in Donimalai, Sandur taluk of Ballari district, on Tuesday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Pulses distribution

Mr. Bijjur also visited the Government High School in Donimalai to inspect the implementation of the Usuli Kaalu (sprouted pulses) distribution programme being carried out under KMERC’s Comprehensive Environment Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ) Project.

Interacting with students, he enquired whether the prescribed quantity is being served and whether the pulses are palatable, advising them to inform teachers in case of any shortfall.

He instructed the kitchen staff to ensure proper hygiene, use good-quality sprouted pulses and cook them thoroughly before distribution.

Mr. Bijjur also joined the children in tasting Usuli Kaalu.

Stadium inspection

Mr. Bijjur also inspected the Sandur Taluk Stadium where he noted the absence of a proper retaining wall, inadequate gallery space behind the seating area and the lack of toilets, restrooms and office facilities.

He instructed officials to submit funding proposals for the required works and emphasised the need to develop infrastructure for both indoor and outdoor sports that will enhance the stadium’s utility and revenue.

Responding to concerns raised by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Haris Sumair regarding staff shortage for stadium and hostel maintenance, Mr. Bijjur said that proposals for outsourcing manpower will be considered for funding.

He also suggested identifying a suitable site in Sandur to establish an auto cluster and advised the municipal officials to intensify awareness on reducing plastic usage.

Deputy Commissioner Nagendra Prasad K., Mr. Sumair, Deputy Director of Mines and Geology Dwitiya and other district and taluk-level officials of Sandur were present.