Belthangady : DC A.B. Ibrahim took a surprise visit to the Malekudiya tribe in Banjarumale in Neriya village of Belthangady taluk on the Western Ghats on Thursday.

After the three-decade’ wait of the villagers about 40 families came to an end with DC A.B. Ibrahim inaugurating the DC Katte. The Katte was built about 32 years ago in anticipation of the visit of the then Dakshina Kannada DC.

The deputy commissioner who patiently listened to the woes of the tribals and villagers, directed the officials to take steps to provide basic minimum facilities.

One of the main demand of the villagers was to repair the road (9 kms stretch) and repair the 10 KW mini-hydel power project set up in 2002 (its capacity has gone down to 5 KW at present and houses get power supply only between 6 pm and 8 am).

In reply, the deputy commissioner said that a sum of Rs 20 lakh has been released for concretisation of the road and the same will be completed before August 15.

He promised that the administration would persuade the estate owner to allow construction of a pucca road to the habitat even as he directed Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) officials to provide electricity within a year. He also directed the officials concerned to arrange payment to the Anganwadi assistant, who was appointed by the chief executive officer of the zilla panchayat about six months ago.

Mr. Ibrahim was surprised to see water seeping through the roof of the community hall in the habitat and directed the official concerned to immediately get it repaired. Woes of residents about non-sanction of below poverty line ration cards too would be addressed, he said.

When scheduled tribe welfare officer told the DC that each Malekudiya family was being given 15 kg rice, 2 kg toor dal, 1 litre palm oil, 1 kg green gram and 30 eggs every month for six months every year, the residents said they had to travel 40 km to Gandibagilu to get these supplies. Mr. Ibrahim directed the official to supply the commodities at Banjaru Anganwadi from next month.