Udupi has all-woman team helming civil, police affairs

Mangaluru: With Nisha James taking over as the SP of Udupi on Thursday, the district scored a high on the bureaucratic front. For the first time, the administration — both civil and police — in the district is being headed by women.
Adding feather to the cap in the Parliamentary constituency headed by woman MP Shobha Karandlaje, the all-woman’s team now comprises deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, additional DC Vidya Kumari, Zilla Panchayat CEO Sindhu B Rupesh. Even the district minister, Jayamala, is a woman legislator.

A few days ago, Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, a 2011-batch IAS officer, took charge as the DC of Udupi from her predecessor Priyanka Mary Francis. The changes are being done as by the state government as per the directions of the Election Commission.

Commenting on the new team of all-woman officers, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Karandlaje said it is a good development. “It’s a district that is matriarchal in nature, and women outnumber men in terms of voters. It’s also a district where women are financially sound, be it fishers’ community, Bunts or Billavas. I wish them success and may they usher in development in all spheres,” the MP said, adding: “I wish law and order and good administration are good, and they together benefit people from all walks of life. Women’s rise to top posts shows their capability. Their numbers are increasing in top executive posts, thanks to their success in competitive examinations. Women are ahead, and this is the proof.”

ZP chief Sindhu had earlier served as deputy secretary in the finance and budget department. Sindhu, a BE graduate from Mysuru, had secured the highest rank in the civil service exam in the state, and stood 17th nationally. In August last year, Vidya Kumari took charge as additional DC of Udupi district. She too succeeded another woman ADC, G Anuradha.