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​Pramod Madhwaraj discusses measures for safety of children in school vehicles

Manipal: Udupi district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that he would hold meetings with the stake holders and formulate rules to bring sensible efforts in the arrangement made to transport children to schools.

Speaking at the Zilla Panchayat meeting here on Friday, he said that measures should be taken in accordance with the requirements of parents and the school management.

Madhwaraj said that the Supreme Court guidelines for transporting school children would be implemented seriously and studied thoroughly. He added that there should be a practical solution for the issue and a special meeting would be held within a week.

MP Shobha Karandlanje said that temporary measures should be taken for the current academic year and permanent measures should be taken keeping future needs in view. She added that long term plans should be made and the school managements would be asked to arrange buses to pick up students in different areas. Plans should be adopted across the state so as to prevent overcrowding of children in school vehicles, she said.

A minute silence was observed in memory of the eight children who lost their lives in the Trasi accident.

Janardhan Thonse said that in some areas the police stopped autos carrying school children because of which auto drivers were protesting and the children were affected due to that.

Another issue that resulted in a heated argument was the failure of revenue officials in holding a meeting at the Grama Panchayat level which involved the people’s representatives to tackle rain-related problems. Thonse said that the officials were completely irresponsible though low lying areas were already over the danger mark. He added saying that the DC had already held two meetings regarding the measures to be taken during emergencies and written circulars were sent to all the officials concerned.

The members complained about the absence of the Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildars and other officers of important ranks at the meeting. They said that problems would not be solved if officials were not present regularly. The minister added that he would take strict action and would issue directions to officials. He added that the Tahsildars, AC and other officials had to be present in the Zilla Panchayat meeting held once in two months.

The issue of handing over the responsibility of placing wooden planks across the dams in Grama Panchayat was also discussed.

The minister also said that he would take action against the vacant RTE seats and added that there were no complaints against DDPI and BEOs getting together with private institutions.