Udupi (The Hindu): Complaints ranging from drinking water shortage to illegal sand extraction poured in at the first direct phone-in programme organised by the district administration at the District Offices Complex here on Monday. Most of the queries related to revenue department.

Ramesh Kotian, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader, said that the students in the government hostel at Bannanje in Udupi were facing water shortage. Though he had brought the matter to the notice of the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), no action had been taken, he said.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis directed municipal Commissioner D. Manjunathaiah to supply water through tanker to the hostel daily. She also directed the District Social Welfare Officer to submit a report on the action taken in the matter

Manjunath, secretary of Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Katapady, said that the school had 1,400 students. The well at the school which used to provide water to the Katapady Gram Panchayat during summer had gone dry this time. Water was now required for midday meals, he said. Ms. Francis said that she would ask the Panchayat Development Officer and try to find a solution.

A woman caller from Bijoor village said that they were not getting tap water for the last two months and had to walk about 1.5 km to get water from a well. “Please help us,” she pleaded. Ms. Francis said that she would direct the Executive Officer of Kundapur Taluk Panchayat to take immediate action. Srinivas from Ulloor village said that the people were facing problems from a crusher unit operating nearby and he also complained about sand extraction in the nearby river. Ms. Francis directed Shilpa Nag, Assistant Commissioner, to inspect the spot.

A caller from Kundapur complained that there was a lot of gambling going on at Koteshwar, Byndoor, Tallur, Hattiangady, Hemmady and Trasi villages. Ms. Francis said that she would ask the police to take action on it.

Another caller said that the headlights of many vehicles were too bright and this caused problems for people driving in the opposite direction. Hence, the top half of the headlights of vehicles should be blackened, he said.

A call from Airody said that water was overflowing at the Primary Health Centre at Sasthan. Ms. Francis directed the Assistant Executive Engineer to immediately call the medical officer of the health centre and take steps to stop the overflow of water.

G. Anuradha, Additional Deputy Commissioner, was present.