Lack of quorum at ZP meeting, Cong members walk-out

First, it was lack of quorum, then, it was the walk-outstaged by the opposition Congress members that caused the disruption of the Zilla Panchayat general meeting for over two hours, here on Tuesday.

As soon as the meeting commenced, ZP Chief Executive Officer P Shivashankar read out the issues listed for discussion. When it was learnt that former ZP president Pushpa Amarnath has sought a resolution against the Goods and Services Tax imposed on sanitary napkins, Beerihundi Basavanna of the JD(S) pointed out that it was an irrelevant subject and said that it would hinder the discussions on the development issues.

“Pushpa Amarnath raises some irrelevant issues in the ZP, only to grab media attention. As soon as the media persons pack up, she also disappears,” he said.

Pushpa hit out at the JD(S) member that he does not have respect for women. “Sanitary napkins have become expensive after GST has come into force, inconveniencing women and girl students. Is a matter related to women irrelevant? If you think that I raise issues to grab media attention, take a decision not to invite media from the next meeting. Can we stop all functions and programmes across the nation because media persons attend them?” she asked.

As the arguments between Pushpa and Basavanna heated up, there was a clear divide between the ruling and opposition parties in the ZP. The Congress members supported Pushpa and accompanied her when she staged a walk-out. ZP president Nayeema Sulthana had to adjourn the meeting by 15 minutes and she tried to pacify the Congress members to return but, she failed. Again, she took ZP CEO Shivashankar along with her to talk to the opposition members to convince them to take part in the meeting. Pushpa reiterated her demand to draw a resolution regarding the sanitary napkins.

She said, steps should be taken to distribute sanitary napkins to women under the public distribution system, free of cost, to BPL ration card holders. “This will help a lot of women and girl students. So, let us make a representation to both the state and Union governments, in this regard,” she said.

CEO Shivashankar said, free napkins are being distributed to schoolgirls by the Women and Child Development department. Similarly, napkins are being distributed to girl students through the PU Education department.
Fogging

Member Chandrika Suresh complained that the Health department personnel are behaving in an irresponsible way. “Fogging has been taken up to check mosquito menace, in view of preventing the spread of dengue fever. However, the Health department personnel carry out fogging on their motorbikes and can reach only the roads. The smoke is affecting the people instead of the mosquitoes. People are feeling ill due to the fogging,” she said.

District Health Officer Dr B Basavaraju said, enquiry will be initiated, following the complaints, and action will be taken against the erring personnel.