Shettar chairs Disha meet, reviews water, agri, infra

Belagavi: The quarterly meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (Disha) for 2026-27 was held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday. MP Jagadish Shettar, Priyanka Jarkiholi and Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi participated. Drinking water and drought management, monsoon preparedness, agricultural activities, supply of seeds and fertilisers, basic amenities in schools, student enrolment in govt schools and other issues were discussed.

Presiding over the meeting, MP Jagadish Shettar said the scheme to provide tap water to every rural household under the Centre’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission should be implemented effectively. If any assistance is required from the Centre, it will be easier to meet the concerned minister if a proper proposal is submitted, he said.

Officials said delays in central funding have affected implementation of the project. If steps are taken to release funds, execution will pick up pace.

Leelavati Hiremath and RS Seetaram, deputy directors of school education and literacy, said 40 PM SHRI schools have been started in the district. Demand for these schools has increased even in rural areas.

Shettar said students in the district should be improved on the model of Udupi and Mangaluru, which are among the top performers in terms of academic results and quality of education.

Works under the Smart City project should be completed within the stipulated time frame. Action should be taken to distribute certificates under e-assets at the earliest.

Shettar was informed to review cooking oil and petrol stocks and ensure there is no shortage in the district.

Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi said several new programmes have been implemented under the VB-G Ram-G schemes and that they should be widely publicised. Works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak and Grampath schemes should be carried out as per the needs of respective taluks.

Zilla panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde said various programmes have been formulated to improve the district’s educational standards. Banks should conduct campaigns at the hobli level to create awareness about loans and facilities available under various state and central schemes.

Arrangements have been made to drill 22 borewells in the Chikodi area to provide water to villages facing scarcity. A plan has already been prepared for a permanent solution to the drinking water crisis.

Horticulture department joint director Mahantesh Murgod said that due to lack of rainfall, sowing has been limited.

ADC Vijayakumar Honakeri, DCP Narayana Bharamani, BCC commissioner M Kartik, agriculture department joint director HD Kolekar, and officials from various departments were present.