Udupi: District Minister Laxmi R Hebbalkar, during the KDP meeting held on Saturday, reviewed emergency healthcare services in the district. She noted that although 18 ambulances have been sanctioned under the 108 ambulance service, only 16 are currently operational. Complaints have been received regarding delays in services due to a shortage of drivers, nurses, and other staff. She instructed the district health officer to obtain government permission and appoint staff on an outsourced basis if necessary.
Concerns Over Referrals to Private Facilities
The minister expressed concern that poor patients visiting government hospitals are being referred to private facilities for scans and medicines. “Poor people come to government hospitals because they lack money. Such situations should not arise,” she said. She directed officials to conduct regular health check-ups for school and anganwadi children.
Protocol Violations Draw Minister’s Ire
Hebbalkar stressed that while organizing any government meetings or programs, invitation cards must follow official protocol and include the names of elected representatives as per government guidelines. She expressed displeasure that despite instructions issued during the previous meeting, protocols were not being followed. She directed officials to issue notices to the Karkala Tahsildar and officials of the Kannada and Culture Department over alleged protocol violations and warned that such officials would face suspension if the issue recurs.
Land-Related Cases Under Review
The minister also reviewed pending land-related cases in the revenue department. She noted that 3,652 files are pending due to data entry issues despite land allotments having already been made. She instructed officials to prioritize these cases. Applications filed by poor people seeking land under Sections 53-54 and 94C are also pending disposal, she noted, directing the deputy commissioner to hold weekly meetings with tahsildars and expedite the issuance of title deeds.
She said more than 680 applications filed under Sections 54 and 55 have not yet been uploaded to the e-portal despite directions from the chief secretary and asked officials to take immediate action.
Deemed Forest Land Survey
The minister directed officials to expedite the joint survey of deemed forest lands to determine whether such lands belong to the forest or revenue department. She noted that several government buildings, schools, and hospitals fall within deemed forest areas and said all hurdles in conducting the survey should be resolved immediately.
Pension Surveys and Beneficiary Lists
She further instructed officials to prioritize pension surveys under social security schemes and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out while ineligible persons using false documents are removed from the list.
Top district officials and elected representatives were present at the meeting.
