Latest news with #NirmithiKendra
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
For Chengara land struggle families of Pullur-Periye, freedom still feels far away
While the nation marked Independence Day with celebrations, Shobana Kumari, 61, of Nalakara, Pullur-Periye panchayat, was more concerned about how to make ends meet. Living in a cramped house with her family of 12, the Thiruvananthapuram native says freedom still feels far away. Shobana's was among the 85 families, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other communities, that shifted to the hilly terrain 15 years ago after participating in the Chengara struggle, a land rights movement in Pathanamthitta. Despite the government reissuing title deeds to 58 beneficiaries, resident say there have been deceived, allotted barren laterite plots, making farming and dignified living impossible. 'We left Kattakada with our four daughters, hoping to farm, do small jobs and build a future for our children. We feel betrayed, given rocky land with no facilities,' she says. Her husband had died four years ago. E.K. Sasi, from Perunad in Pathanamthitta, says families initially stayed in temporary shelters after clearing thorn-filled thicket. In 2012, houses of 320 sq ft were built by the Nirmithi Kendra using funds under the K.R. Narayanan Society settlement programme. 'But we are not receiving government benefits as the panchayat hasn't given us house numbers,' he says. 'They listen to us only during elections,' says E.S. Akhila,35. She says most resident are above 60 years and unable to work, depending on meagre pensions. 'Some people go for rubber tapping. Only the Welfare Party of India has helped, giving school kits and rice,' she says. C. Ravindran, 67, says many families have returned to their native place, leaving most houses locked. The original title deeds were issued in 2022 with a clause preventing sale or transfer to children. District Collector Inbasekar, after promising to remove the clause, reissued them recently with the same restrictions., he says. Even for drinking water, residents depend on a borewell sunk during house construction. Only a fraction of the agricultural land is cultivable, and crops are often destroyed by wild animals. Under the Chengara rehabilitation package, land in 10 districts were identified for 1,495 beneficiaries. Scheduled Caste beneficiaries were promised 50 cents, Scheduled Tribes one acre, and others 25 cents. Mr. Inbasekar says at Periye, title deeds were issued only for eight cents earmarked for housing, while agricultural plots were registered under the K.R. Narayanan Society (KR Narayanan Cooperative Settlement programme ) as per its bylaw. Those unwilling to join the society were allotted land at Cheemeni, Badaje, and Kallar. He says efforts were made to fill the land with soil, making 25 acres arable, but disputes among members and lack of cooperation stalled the work. Residents demanded individual title deeds for the agricultural plots, for whch order was issued in 2021. As per the order, 166 acres from the SC department was transferred to the Revenue department. However, revenue authorities initially could not locate the land because survey no 341/1 in Periye village spanned 736 acres, with title deeds issued at different times and records poorly maintained. During a recent digital survey, the 166 acre was identified — but with the same rocky topography . 'Now title deeds have been issued to 58 beneficiaries with proper sketches. The next step is to make the land arable through suitable agronomic interventions,' the Collector said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka High Court criticises conduct of officials of Nirmithi Kendra in denying information under RTI Act
The High Court of Karnataka has criticised the conduct of officials of the Nirmithi Kendra in attempting to suppress transparency by claiming that the Right to Information (RTI) Act is not applicable to the kendra, even though it is sponsored and controlled by the State government through the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department. The court has also imposed a cost of ₹50,000 on the Nirmithi Kendra, Chitradurga, for denying information under the RTI Act by claiming that it is not a public authority but a private society. Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order, while dismissing a petition filed by the project director of Nirmithi Kendra, Chitradurga, who had questioned the State Information Commission's 2017 direction for providing information sought by some persons under the RTI Act. The court noted that the government had set up Nirmithi Kendras for developing low-cost technology alternatives for rural housing, and its control and supervision is under many top officials of the zilla panchayats and the district administrations belonging to the cadre of the Indian Administrative Service and the Karnataka Administrative Service, Besides, these kendras are being funded by HUDCO, which is a government entity, and contracts are given to the kendra by the State government, and there is a preference for these kendras to carry out works of the government, the court pointed out. A perusal of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act would indicate that it is not only funding, but also control, which would have to be considered to determine whether it is a public authority or not, the court said, while pointing out that not only the funding for these kendras is provided by the government, but the works carried out by them are also considered government's works. 'The attempt made by the officers of Nirmithi Kendra to suppress such transparency leaves much to be desired and does not inspire confidence. By way of such conduct, the Nirmithi Kendra, Chitradurga, has successfully avoided disclosure of information and details,' the court said, while declaring that Nirmithi Kendras as public authorities under the provisions of the RTI Act.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Cabinet nod to issue ROR for land identified for tribal families hit by landslide
The Cabinet on Wednesday directed the Wayanad Collector to take immediate steps to issue ROR (Record of Rights) for the land identified for the tribal families affected by the Chooralmala landslides. Steps will be taken to grant ROR for 5 hectares. The five families included in the Mundakai rehabilitation list from the Punchirimattam Unnati (settlement) and the three families in the new village Unnati will be rehabilitated by constructing houses on the lines of the Wayanad Township Project model. The five families in the Erattukandam Unnati, which are not currently included in the rehabilitation list, will be included in the Mundakai list. They will be allotted 10 cents each in land and a house, said a cabinet briefing. A memorial will be built at the burial site of the landslide victims in Puthumalai to offer prayers. The cabinet meeting approved the estimate of ₹99.93 lakh submitted by the Nirmithi Kendra for the construction of the memorial. The meeting also validated the procedure issued by the District Collector on February 22, 2025, based on the guidelines prepared by the Health Department for granting financial assistance to the victims of the Wayanad disaster. Steps will be taken to extend the benefit of the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Yojana (KASP) to those seeking treatment in government hospitals. The free treatment scheme has been extended till December 31. A sum of ₹6 crore will be allocated from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the victims of the Wayanad disaster, covering current medical expenses and future needs. In addition, 49 more families will be included in the rehabilitation list of the Wayanad Township Project, said the briefing. Compensation will be provided to entrepreneurs who lost their livelihood in the Chooralmala disaster. A district-level committee comprising the Wayanad District Collector, officials from the Local Self-Government department and the Industries department will examine and submit a recommendation to determine the compensation amount and criteria. A similar compensation will be provided to the victims of the Vilangad disaster in Kozhikode as was provided to the victims of the Chooralmala disaster. Livelihood compensation will be provided based on the recommendation of the District Collector. Financial assistance for medical treatment will also be provided, said the briefing.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Model food streets coming up in four locations in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Food Safety Department has launched the Modernisation of Food Streets project, setting up four model food streets that emphasise hygiene and aesthetics. In the first phase, projects are underway at Shankhumukham (Thiruvananthapuram), Panampilly Nagar (Ernakulam), Kottakunnu (Malappuram), and Kozhikode Beach. Health Minister Veena George said the initiative is a model for serving quality food in clean and attractive environment. Each food street is being developed for Rs 1 crore, adhering to strict food safety standards. The outlets will be operated by staff certified under the FoSTaC programme and follow the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Emphasis is also placed on sanitation, with provisions for toilets and waste management systems. Construction is nearing completion, with Nirmithi Kendra handling the work at Shankhumukham. Other locations are being developed in collaboration with GCDA (Ernakulam), DTPC (Malappuram), and the Kozhikode Corporation. The initiative is being implemented under the State Food Safety Department, in coordination with district authorities and local bodies, with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the National Health Mission.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Lokayukta raids 7 govt officials across Karnataka
Bengaluru: Lokayukta police Thursday carried out simultaneous raids on properties linked to seven govt officials across six districts following allegations of possessing disproportionate assets . Raids were conducted in Bengaluru city/rural, Tumakuru, Yadgir, Vijayapura and Mangaluru, covering over 35 locations including the accused officers' residences, offices and relatives' houses. Operations began at 6am and continued through the day. The raided officials from Bengaluru city and rural are HR Nataraj, legal metrology inspector in City Market-1 sub-division; Murali TV, additional director of town planning at BDA; Anantha Kumar, second-division assistant at Hosakote taluk office. According to Lokayukta police, assets worth over Rs 3.9 crore were unearthed at Nataraj's premises, including two sites, two houses, nine acres of agricultural land, cash, gold ornaments, vehicles and household items. Murali TV was found in possession of three houses, three sites and valuables totalling nearly Rs 3.5 crore. Anantha Kumar had one house, five acres of agricultural land and movable assets, bringing the estimated total to nearly Rs 2 crore. Officials from the districts under scanner are: Rajashekhara D, planning director of Nirmithi Kendra, Tumakuru; Manjunatha MR, survey supervisor at UPOR office in Dakshina Kannada; Renuka Satarle, former district manager at Dr BR Ambedkar Development Corporation, Vijayapura; Umakanth Halle, tahsildar, Shahapur taluk, Yadgir. In all, assets over Rs 13.4 crore were unearthed from raids on these officials.
