Udupi : Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said the issues related to farmers, including deemed forest, Kumki land rights and title deeds, will be dealt on priority.

Speaking at a meeting convened to discuss sand mining, 94CC, distribution of housing sites and other issues, he directed the officials to implement the policies formulated by the government for pro-people governance.

The minister said measures have been taken to accord priority to sand supply to people in the district.

He added that people can now start applying under 94CC to regularise their houses built on government land, as the government has decided to keep the provision open for the needy. Besides, recommendations will also be made to the government to include necessary changes for easy processing of housing sites and rights of land to the eligible beneficiaries.

Sorake said a meeting will be held shortly to discuss the Varahi Irrigation Project under the chairmanship of irrigation minister. Measures will be taken to solve the problems of farmers and the people in the area phase by phase, he added.

The minister said public convenience is the main concern and the public opinion has been forwarded to the government on the programmes initiated by the government.

He directed the tahsildars to give away title deeds to eligible beneficiaries without delay. There should not be any sort of confusions, he added.

MLC Prathapchandra Shetty demanded immediate solution to the Varahi Irrigation Project, title deeds and sand mining issues. The justice needs to be done, he stressed.
Shetty said the water from the project is stopped midway and the farmers in the area are suffering due to scorching summer.

The basic idea of the project should be fulfilled by releasing the water to the surrounding villages. The construction works and the obstacles in the free flow of the water should be checked, he said.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Vishal R said the Public Works Department has been given the responsibility of storing sand and also to solve the problems of sand scarcity. The government’s are being followed and transparency in the sand transaction process is ensured.

He also explained that the process involves farmers in CRZ and non-CRZ regions.The farmers also requested to give priority to local people in sand distribution and also the sand from the district should be used in the district.

Vishal said more licence will be given for sand mining activities in CRZ area by Saturday.
He said 126 acres of land have been earmarked to construct houses. In this, 25 acres of land are in Udupi, 46 acres in Brahmavar, 36 acres in Karkala, 15 acres in Kundapur and four acres are in Byndoor respectively, he added.

A taluk panchayat official said the multi-village drinking water schemes are not beneficial to the farmers due to delay in their execution. At Yed-amogge, the PDO is not available to hear public grievances. The minister said he will to look into the issue.

He also said that the chief minister has said that Paschima Vahini project will be handed over to the Major Irrigation Department for execution. This project aims at providing a permanent solution to water crisis in the district, he added.