Latest news with #MandyaZillaPanchayat
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Mandya ZP CEO emphasises commitment for efficient governance at grassroots level
Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K.R. Nandini has said that Gram Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) and taluk panchayat executive officers must work with commitment and integrity for transparent and efficient governance at the grassroots level. Addressing a PDO grievance redressal meeting in Mandya, Ms. Nandini emphasised the importance of public service and said officials must take pride in their duties. 'Several PDOs in the district have demonstrated a good performance. To encourage the officials, health check-ups will be conducted every six months, and awards will be presented to outstanding performers,' she added. Ms. Nandini said that over 17,500 children had been registered for summer camps organised across Gram Panchayats in the district. 'This shows the coordination and discipline among the officials.' Stressing the importance of addressing field-level challenges, Ms. Nandini said PDOs and panchayat staff are being encouraged to voice their concerns freely. Taluk panchayat executive officers have been instructed to hold monthly open-house discussions to address the grievances of PDOs. 'If issues remain unresolved at the taluk level, they must be escalated to the district level for redressal,' she said. Expressing concern over repeated violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) norms, she directed PDOs to strictly adhere to the 60:40 ratio while preparing action plans and ensure that expenditures are made as per decisions taken during the general body meetings. 'Compliance with KTPP rules and the financial code is mandatory,' she noted. She said that nodal officers must be available at the district headquarters every Monday and Thursday between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to hear public complaints. Prashanth Babu, president of the Karnataka State Panchayat Development Officers' Welfare Association, Mandya District, described the grievance-handling meeting as a positive step towards resolving field-level challenges. However, he raised concern over delays in salary disbursement, urging that PDOs' salaries are credited by the 5th of every month.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Monoculture reduces soil fertility; farmers urged to adopt alternative crops: DC
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar on Wednesday emphasised the importance of diversifying crop cultivation to maintain soil fertility and improve farmers' incomes. Speaking at the Silk Farmers' Technical Convention organised by the Department of Sericulture at the Mandya Zilla Panchayat, he encouraged farmers to consider sericulture (silk farming) alongside traditional crops like paddy and sugarcane. Highlighting the commercial viability of silk farming, Dr. Kumar said: 'Sericulture is a profitable venture. By integrating it with conventional crops, farmers can enhance their income.' He noted that monoculture practices, such as the continuous cultivation of a single crop, gradually reduce soil fertility, underscoring the need to promote and adopt alternative crops. 'Farmers are not poor, and they do not need sympathy. They need empowerment through technical knowledge and self-confidence,' the Deputy Commissioner added. Drawing a parallel between farmers and soldiers, he said, 'Just as soldiers guard the nation's borders, farmers serve the country by providing food. Farmers are equal to soldiers and rich in generosity.' Sericulture Development Commissioner and Director Rajesh Gowda remarked that Mandya is among the districts with the highest number of farmers in Karnataka. He pointed out that if properly supported, silk farming can become a highly lucrative venture for the region's farming community. Progressive silk farmer Nagaraju C.L. from Kolar delivered a technical session on best practices in sericulture, including silkworm rearing, space optimisation, cocoon management, and pest and disease control techniques. Deputy Director of Sericulture B. Puttaswamy, Additional Director Y.T. Timmayya, Deputy Director Somanna D., N.B. Jyothi from the Silkworm Division, Mahiba Helen from CSR&TI Mysuru, and Assistant Director of Sericulture Ravi Kumar and others were present.
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- The Hindu
Civil defence drill conducted at KRS
The Mandya district administration conducted Operation Abhyas, a civil defence drill, at Krishnaraja Sagar, simulating three emergency situations arising out of a boat accident, fire, and blast, on Sunday. This was part of the nationwide drills ordered by the government in the wake of the tensions on the India and Pakistan border, following a deadly terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The authorities said the objective of the drill was to showcase the coordinated efforts of the district administration, police, fire department, health department, and other agencies, and also highlight the precautions that the public needs to take. The simulated scene involved a boat capsizing at the boating point in the Brindavan gardens, following which the control room was immediately alerted. This resulted in a sequence of actions by the authorities, leading to contacting the fire department, which rushed to the spot with rescue equipment to save the passengers of the capsized boat. As accidents tend to result in the convergence of a large crowd, making it difficult for rescue personnel to move freely, the police stepped in, controlled the crowd, and ensured smooth movement of fire and ambulance vehicles. Just as the fire and police personnel were at the job, the medical and paramedical team from the Health Department were alerted, and they reached the spot, providing medical assistance to the victims and rushing those requiring further treatment to the nearest hospitals. Another scenario was also simulated as part of the drill, involving a fire accident at the police guest house. A siren was sounded to alert everyone, control notified, and all departments were put on a standby to rush to meet any contingency. During the fire-rescue drill, individuals trapped on the first floor were rescued and brought down safely, and provided medical assistance. The third drill entailed a bomb blast, and a siren was sounded to alert the key players, who saw the bomb disposal squad, accompanied by a canine unit, scouring the area while medical teams provided first aid to the injured. Deputy Commissioner Kumar, Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini, and Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi oversaw the drill. Senior officials from various departments were part of the drill, in addition to NSS students and Home Guard personnel.
