Mangalore, Ullal to be first kerosene-free regions in Karnataka

September 17, 2014

Mangalore, Sep 16: The district administration is working with the three oil companies on an ambitious objective of issuing domestic gas cylinders to all the below poverty line (BPL) families in Mangalore and Ullal to declare the two urban centres as kerosene-free on November 2. With households scheduled to get LPG gas connections, there will be no kerosene supply to these cardholders from that day.

This is part of an initiative of the Food and Civil Supplies Department in several districts following a directive by the Centre. The Centre has said it would stop the supply of kerosene at subsidised rate. While the Centre has been procuring kerosene at a cost of Rs. 64 per litre, it has been supplying it to BPL cardholders without LPG connections at the rate of Rs. 18.50. The department also wants to promote use of safe and less harmful cooking fuel in households.

Talking to reporters, District In-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai said on Tuesday that there were around 7,500 BPL cardholders who did not have an LPG connection. The Food and Civil Supplies Department was working with the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), the Ullal Town Municipal Council (TMC) and three oil companies who issue LPG gas connections. Special camps will be held on October 8, 9, 18 and 20 in the city and Ullal for the purpose.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said funds from the schemes meant for SC/ST welfare, other backward class and lower income group welfare, and for the welfare of the physically disabled persons, would be used for the purpose. Beneficiaries should approach the MCC and the Ullal TMC to claim the Rs. 4,000 allocated for each cardholder. This covers the domestic gas cylinder deposit and the cost of gas regulator, low cost stove, cylinder refill and safety charges.

Those not belonging to any of the three groups should approach the public sector banks or the South Canara District Credit Cooperative Bank for obtaining a loan of Rs. 4,000. The beneficiary can repay the amount in the form of equitable monthly instalment of Rs. 250.

HPCL Senior Regional Manager (LPG) A. Sarvanan and BPCL Territory Manager (LPG) Dinakara L Tonse said all three oil companies operating in the city were ready to supply the required number of cylinders. Mr. Sarvanan said beneficiaries had been bifurcated among the three oil companies for issuance of the cylinders.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim has written to the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) and the Ullal Town Municipal Council (TMC) they should not insist on production of income and caste certificate for those seeking assistance over gas connection.

Mr. Ibrahim's letter comes in the light of complaints by some applicants that the MCC was insisting on production of income certificate, caste certificate and property tax paid receipt for acting on their applications seeking financial aid available under welfare schemes for SC/ST, low income group and physically disabled. As many as 1,200 persons have applied to the MCC seeking financial aid since August 15.

Mr. Ibrahim has clarified that applicants need not produce income certificate as the BPL cards are issued to those with family income less than Rs. 17,000 per year. There was also no need for applicants to submit new caste certificate as the one possessed by the applicants was still relevant. The applicants could produce an undertaking that they were staying in a particular house, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

Comments