Vacant posts to be filled, promises Roshan Baig

Several posts are lying vacant in various departments and steps will be taken to fill the same after informing the ministers concerned, assured District-in-Charge Minister R Roshan Baig.

The minister was visiting the district for the first time after assuming charge of the district. He chaired an officials’ meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office and later spoke to media persons.

Vacant posts
“As many as 688 posts are lying vacant in the Revenue Department, 103 in the district hospital, and 25 in the primary health centres, among other departments,” he informed and added that he would draw the attention of the ministers concerned to the matter.

The minister stated that the underground drainage work, which had been taken up in 2011, should have been completed by 2013. In spite of extending the deadline twice, the work is not completed. “I have directed the officials concerned to submit a report in this regard,” he said.

“Similarly, the Karagada drinking water project should have been completed by May 15. Although former district-in-charge minister Dr G Parameshwar had warned of initiating criminal charges against the contractors, the works have not been completed,” said Baig. He also directed the officials to initiate action against the contractors.

In her reply, Deputy Commissioner G Satyavathi said that show cause notice has already been issued to contractors and 90% of the work has been completed. The project would be launched soon, she informed the minister.

To a query on the Datta Peeta issue, the minister said that a sub-committee comprising the law minister, home minister and Haj minister has been formed and the committee will soon take a decision in this regard.

‘Steps to suspend DDPI’
To another query on DDPI S G Nagesh, who is facing corruption charges, Baig said that he would inform the Primary and Secondary Education Minister to place the DDPI under suspension.

“Nagesh has been sent on compulsory leave and Anti Corruption Bureau sleuths have been investigating the case,” the minister said and added that action will be initiated against the official.

Desalination unit in M’luru
An Israel firm has come forward to set up a desalination plant in Mangaluru, informed District In-charge Minister R Roshan Baig.

Stating that the cost of the project would be Rs 1,600 crore, he said that experts have inspected the spot twice and already prepared a feasibility report. The plant capacity would be 200 MLD, he added.

Baig said that the plant would be set up on the lines of Manjur in Tamil Nadu. When the project is implemented, the region will not have any drinking water problem, he said and added that plans are on the anvil to expand the project to neighbouring districts too.