Deputy Commissioner becomes the good cop, gives away scrap vehicles to ITI students in Udupi

Behind the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office in Rajathadri, many abandoned Jeeps and Tata Sumo were rusting away. Several such vehicles, bearing Karnataka Government boards, were gathering dust- some for months, after being dumped in the parking area of the DC's office.

 About 7 to 8 government vehicles have been laying unused for months. They were put up for auction, but due to lack of response from anyone in the last five auction procedures, the district administration has decided to give way the vehicle for the ITI students.

There are about 160 students at the eight units of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) of Udupi, who will be benefitted by the Deputy Commissioner's decision.

''We have been told by the DC to make use of those vehicles. Students of diesel mechanic and automobile courses will use them for practical purposes'' says Jadadeesh, Principal of Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Udupi.

Most of the vehicles, which are more than 10 years old and have travelled over 2 lakh kilometres would have been scrapped had they not been provided for the ITI students. 

 DC Priyanka Mary Francis said that auctions were called about five times in the past, but none came forward. ''So we have decided to give them to the ITI students in Manipal so that they can use them for study purpose in their workshop," she says.