Udupi: The state govt is organising Prajaseva Abhiyan meetings across Karnataka to hear public grievances in their localities and provide time-bound solutions, Udupi district minister Rizwan Arshad said Wednesday.Speaking after inaugurating the Udupi taluk-level Prajaseva Abhiyan meeting, Arshad said, “The govt’s responsibility is to understand the problems faced by ordinary people, assess their circumstances and formulate suitable policies. This initiative will help reduce the difficulties faced by the public and ensure that grievances are addressed in a systematic manner.”Chief minister DK Shivakumar launched the initiative in Vijayanagara district on Sept 5, with plans to hold meetings simultaneously across the state. The Udupi meeting was held Wednesday as the district was observing Krishna Janmashtami and Vitlapindi, one of its major festivals.As many as 208 applications relating to land issues, including ‘podi’, access paths to properties, houses and sites, drainage facilities, lake development and the Gruha Jyothi scheme, were submitted at the meeting. Arshad heard the grievances and directed officials to take immediate steps to resolve them.MLA Yashpal Suvarna said the programme would make govt departments more responsive and remind officials of their duties and responsibilities. He urged the govt to convene a special meeting and provide increased funding for Udupi, which is known for its achievements in education, healthcare and the religious sector.Deputy commissioner Swaroopa TK said the district’s first Prajaseva Abhiyan meeting aimed to take govt schemes to every village and household.Arshad said the state govt would convene a special session to discuss and decide its position on the implementation of the Kasturirangan report. The govt, he added, would hold detailed consultations before taking a decision.He also said a special cabinet meeting would be held in Mangaluru on Sept 18, focusing on the comprehensive development of the coastal region, including tourism, business and employment generation.During the programme, Arshad stepped down from the stage to speak to a woman with a disability seated in a wheelchair and hear about her difficulties. A cancer patient told the minister she was unable to access further treatment through the Ayushman Bharat card. Arshad assured her of personal assistance.A young woman from the Koraga colony in Nalkur village complained that contaminated water was being supplied to the area, causing health problems and forcing children to miss school.
