Udupi :  Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, Managing Director, Special Purpose Vehicle, Hubballi-Dharwad, has been transferred as Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district in the place of Priyanka Mary Francis who has been transferred to the post of Director, Department of Tourism, Bengaluru.

Ms. Francis served as Chief Executive Officer of Udupi Zilla Panchayat from November 17, 2015. She took over as Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district on February 23, 2017.

Ms. Francis hit the headlines in the State when she personally conducted mid-night raids on illegal sand removal sites in Udupi district on April 2, 2017.

Her convoy was assaulted by illegal sand extractors, leading to cases being booked against them.

She also took several initiatives to promote tourism in the district. Ms. Francis said that she enjoyed her tenure in Udupi district. “It was a learning experience and I will use it in my career,” she said.

Ms. Francis is likely to hand over charge to Ms. Korlapati here on either February 7 or February 8.