Mangaluru: “The pro-people programmes of both the state and Central governments will reach the intended beneficiaries only if the Zilla Panchayath, Taluk Panchayat and Gram Panchayat members are aware of it. Hence, elected members of the local bodies should make sure that they are aware of the government programmes,” said Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Wednesday, February 12.

He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Taluk Panchayat building located adjacent to the Mini Vidhana Soundha in the city. “People will be deprived of government facilities if they unaware of them. Hence, members of the Taluk Panchayat, Zilla Panchayat and Gram Panchayat should act as a bridge between the people and government facilities. If there is proper coordination between these elected representatives, then the people will be able to avail them.”

The newly inaugurated building was constructed at a cost of Rs 4.25 that was paid out of the Zilla Panchayat’s grant. The foundation stone for the new building was laid during the then district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai’s term in 2017.

The new building has three floors, including a basement. The parking lot, administrative office, CEO office and accounts section are set up at the basement of the building. The first floor of the building accommodates the office of the  Taluk Panchayat president and vice president. A meeting hall and Akshara Dasoha’s office is also located on the first floor of the building. A 600-sq-ft conference hall with the capacity to hold 300 people has been set up on the third floor. A total of six commercial complexes are located on the ground floor.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Vedavays Kamath, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, U T Khader, MLCs Hareesh Kumar, Ivan D’Souza, Taluk Panchayat president Mohammed Monu, Zilla Panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, vice president Kasturi Panja, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr R Selvamani and others were present.