Sun Jan 26 13:41:44 UTC 2025: ## Dakshina Kannada Leads Karnataka in Waste Management, Announces Minister
**Mangaluru, January 26, 2025** – Dakshina Kannada district has become the first in Karnataka to establish material recovery facilities (MRFs) in all 223 gram panchayats, announced District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Republic Day. Four MRFs, with a combined capacity to process 31 tonnes of dry waste daily, are currently operational, with a fifth facility planned.
Minister Rao also highlighted significant progress in other sectors. The Jal Jeevan Mission has provided piped water connections to 57,997 homes, with the remaining households slated to receive connections soon. Seven multi-village drinking water schemes, costing ₹1,313 crore, are underway. Funding has been allocated for arecanut disease research (₹50 lakh) and pest and disease control in horticulture (₹30 lakh). Furthermore, 1.32 lakh farmers have enrolled in the weather-based crop insurance scheme covering arecanut and pepper.
Significant strides have been made in the implementation of the state government’s five guarantee schemes. Over 3.73 lakh women have registered for Gruhalakshmi, receiving a total of ₹1,014 crore. The Gruha Jyothi scheme has provided zero electricity bills to 2.49 lakh beneficiaries, while Anna Bhagya has delivered monthly benefits to 2.59 lakh families. The Yuvanidhi scheme has registered 4,184 youths, and the Shakti scheme has facilitated 7.19 crore free KSRTC bus journeys for women.
Minister Rao praised Wenlock Hospital for its successful liver and cornea harvesting, highlighting its role as an organ retrieval center. He also reiterated the government’s firm stance against moral policing, urging citizens to ostracize those involved. The Republic Day celebrations included a ceremonial parade and cultural performances by local school students.
First Piper 