Workshop in Bhatkal Highlights Importance of Public Awareness and Local Governance
BHATKAL: A one-day workshop on “Municipal Administration and Local Governance” was held in Bhatkal on Monday, organized by the political panel of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem. The event brought together experts, social figures, and community members to emphasize the need for greater public awareness, youth involvement, and accountability from elected officials.
The workshop saw a significant turnout, including youth from various neighborhoods in Bhatkal and surrounding areas, as well as male and female councilors, panchayat members, and social activists.
Abrar Ahmed, a Chamarajanagar City Municipal Councilor and special guest, shared his expertise on the responsibilities of councilors and panchayat members. He explained how municipal systems in Karnataka have been strengthened through local governance laws since independence. Ahmed noted that upcoming census data would likely lead to the upgrading of several gram panchayats and municipal councils. He urged the public to actively participate in local elections to ensure better governance.
Stressing the importance of the Kannada language, Ahmed encouraged the youth of Bhatkal to learn it to engage more effectively in municipal and panchayat affairs. He advised representatives to treat their constituents like family, with male councilors acting as fathers and female councilors as mothers to their communities, solving public issues with the same care as personal ones.
Advocate Syed Imran Lanka, Convener of the Tanzeem political panel and Vice President of the Jali Pattan Panchayat, provided detailed insights into the use of municipal council lands, laws regarding building plan approvals, and the challenges faced by residents in unauthorized settlements.
The workshop also featured an interactive session where young people and social workers discussed improving civic amenities, holding representatives accountable, and increasing youth participation in social and political activities.
The event began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Moulana Muhammad Hussain Jukaku. Moulana Abdul Raqeeb MJ Nadvi, General Secretary of Tanzeem, delivered the welcome address, and Mr. Inayatullah Shahbandari, President of Tanzeem, presided over the session.
Other notable attendees included Mohiuddin Altaf Kharuri, in-charge President of Bhatkal Town Municipality; Maulana Wasiullah DF Nadvi, President of Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation; and other officials of the Tanzeem.
