Udupi: Agricultural department Joint Director Anthony Maria Immanuel has said that agro service centres giving farm implements on rent would be opened at Baindur, Ajekar and Brahmavar shortly.

He was speaking at the monthly KDP meeting organised by the Zilla Panchayat in Udupi on Monday.

The Joint Director said the scheme has been introduced by the department of agriculture for the benefit of small and marginal farmers who have been facing problem of shortage of labourers. The farmers will be able to take home farm equipment on rent.

To this effect, the department has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) for a period of six years. The Centres will be maintained by the SKDRDP. In the current year, equipment worth Rs 5 lakh will be purchased for each centre, he said.

“In June, paddy transplantation has been carried on 42,000 hectare land as against the target of 45,000 hectare. The rains have hindered the transplantation work during the month. The district has received an average of 2,405 mm rain since January. About 1433.5 quintal of seeds have been distributed. There is no shortage of fertilisers. Farmers will be encouraged to take up organic farming,” he said.

ZP standing committee on health and education President Ganapathy Shriyan said that there was a need for the department of agriculture to find a solution to the weeds problem in Shiroor.

Food and civil supplies department Deputy Director said that 3395.178 metric tonne rice, 703.452 metric tonne wheat, 146 metric tonne sugar and 564 litre kerosene has been distributed under the PDS.

Watershed department official said 24,538 saplings have been planted under the Western Ghats project. Karnataka Minority Development Corporation official claimed that targets have been met in ‘Swawalambana,’ ‘Shramashakthi,’ ‘Kirusala’ and ‘Arivu’ schemes. Applications for the Arivu Yojane and other housing schemes are being received, he said.

Udupi Tahshildar said 543 title deeds are ready to be distributed to the beneficiaries in Udupi district under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Scheme. The officials said that DC manna land will be distributed among Koraga community members in Vandse.

Health and Family Welfare department officer said Malaria, Dengue and H1 N1 is under control in Udupi district and added that a major share of central government grants towards the Primary Health Centre is being diverted for the control of stray dog menace in Kundapur, Baindur and Shiroor. The standing committee President directed the department to prepare an action plan to check stray dog menace.

Standing Committee on Social Justice President Uday Kotian said the responsibility of sealing defunct borewells lies with the RTC holders. He urged the Chief Executive Officer to issue an order to seal all the defunct borewells.

Udupi Zilla Panchayat President Savita Kotian, Vice-President Prakash Mendon, CEO M Kanagavalli, Chief Planning Officer Vijay Kumar Shetty and others were present.