Khader points out malpractices in GP elections

Khader points out malpractices in GP elections

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 21: Even before the commencement of the Gram Panchayat elections, malpractices are being reported, alleged MLA U T Khader on April 21, Wednesday. The MLA told media persons that although Ward No. 1 of Talapady Gram Panchayat has the same number of houses, 300 additional voters have been added from Ward No. 2. 

Pointing out that a family was found to be divided into two wards with the same door number, he said that half the number of people in that house have to vote in one polling both while the other half has to vote in another. Informing his listeners that polling booths should not be located at a distance of more than 1km from the houses, he said that some of the polling booths are too far to be easily accessed. Citing the example of Pooman Ward of Talapady Grama, he said that the voters of K C Nagar had to go all the way to Narla Padil, which is about 3kms away, to cast their votes. He said that this might discourage people from voting. 

Khader accused vested interests of introducing these flaws on purpose and appealed to all people to actively participate in the voting, to support the Congress Party, and to elect deserving candidates. 

Regarding the sea erosion at Ullal, Khader said that the problem appears during this season. An appeal has been made to the Centre to find a solution to this problem, especially along the strip from Talapady to Karwar. The centre has implemented a national scheme, as per which the ADB has selected one of the most affected areas in each state. Ullal is one of the areas identified by them. He revealed that 80 percent of the funds will be released by the Centre and 20 percent will be released by the state government. He said that the project has received the approval of the CRZ as well as the environmental and ecology departments. But the state finance department and the central water resource department still have to give their approval. Khader informed that around Rs 160 crore will be spent on solving the problem of sea erosion and Rs 70 crore will be spent on other developmental work along the coast. 

Khader also said that plans are being made to promote tourism, fishing, as well as related activities in the coastal town. Two submersible water reefs will be installed to break the water, the first attempt of its kind in India, he informed.