Mangaluru: “I am ready to reward students who pass on information to police on rampant drug abuse in the district. However, identity of the student will be kept confidential, said Ivan D’Souza, MLC and chief whip of Karnataka State.

He announced this during his maiden interaction with students on Tuesday at his office, which was held to discuss various issues affecting them. The students from various colleges aired issues like rude behaviour of conductors, non-issuance of tickets, tasteless food, safety and no cleanliness at BCM hostels, scholarship issues to minority students, additional bus facilities and rampant drug abuse.

Rampant drug menace in district was the centre issue of interaction. Asking students to reports menace to police officer or concerned authorities without any fear, he added that it will help in curbing activity as well save life of several students addicted to it. He said: “I along with help of police officers will reward those students who would pass about the drug supply/consumption information.”

One of the students requested that Vidyasiri scholarship given to certain section of society should be extended to all those who stay outside BCM hostels. In return, Ivan answered that he will raise the issue during next session in November and ask government to consider it. While another student complained that inmates find more stones than rice in food provided at BCM Hostel in Ashoknagar. Apart from it, quality of meal was not upto the mark. “We have been complaining from six months but no action has been taken,” he said. Officers of the concerned department present at interaction promised that they would look into issue and solve it.

While other girl, who travels to college at Valencia complained about rude behaviour of city bus staff. She pointed out that conductors harass student whenever they ask for ticket concession and do not return change. “If we don’t carry bags, they start asking for ID cards and other details which is harassment to women students.” Other students requested for additional buses during peak hours in morning as well evening. KSRTC official replied that they would request for permit during next RTA meeting.