HAVE YOUR SAY: Student leaders addressing the residents of Kudmul Ranga Rao Hostel during a rasta roko in Mangalore on Tuesday.

MANGALORE: The students at Kudmul Ranga Rao Hostel, which is managed by the Department of Social Welfare, staged a protest against the poor condition of the hostel here on Tuesday.

They demanded that the authorities take immediate steps to improve facilities, including repair works of the drainage and electrical systems.

The hostel has been in the eye of the storm ever since zilla panchayat members raised the issue of its poor upkeep at their meeting on June 15.

The members had also expressed their dissatisfaction at the manner in which many of the hostels across the district, managed by the department, are maintained and demanded that immediate action be taken.

A visit by the Mangalore MLA, N. Yogish Bhat, and his comments about the poor facilities at the hostel at the ongoing session of the Assembly, led the Commissioner of the department to request the Joint Director, Chandrashekar, to visit the hostel and submit a report. Mr. Chandrashekar visited the hostel last week.

Warden suspended

Commenting on the protests, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, A.M. Kunjappa, told The Hindu that the department has placed the hostel warden under suspension. He said the protest is uncalled for, as remedial steps are being taken.

He said repair of underground pipes will be completed in the next 10 days and instructions have been given to clear the wild growth of vegetation in the hostel premises. He said repair works estimated at Rs. 20 lakhs will be initiated after the monsoons ends.

He said he has directed the executive engineer of the panchayat to undertake repair works in the bathrooms and check the electrical connections. Mr. Kunjappa said the department is in need of funds.

He said the Mangalore taluk panchayat has agreed to give Rs. 1 lakh from its maintenance funds for the upkeep of the hostel building.

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