District in-charge secretary Suresh issued directions to officials of ZP technical division on Tuesday to take suitable measures to resolve water crisis likely to occur during summer.

He was in the City to review the progress of various government departments.

In order to meet water shortage in 147 villages in the district a proposal amounting to Rs 345 lakh has been submitted to the government, he said.

Motor pumps
There is a need for Rs 85 lakh to lay motor pumps at the borewells dug recently. For road development Rs 428 lakh have been sanctioned under Gram Sadak Scheme of which Rs 138 lakh have been released so far. Under Prime Minister’s Rojgar Scheme Rs 912 lakh have been released for development of roads stretching 58 kms. Of this  19 kms stretch has been asphalted.

Under Suvarna scheme Rs 78 lakh have been released and work is underway, said executive engineer of ZP technical division Devraj.

Staff shortage
During Mr Suresh’s visit to the office of the excise department, deputy commissioner    of the department T Jayaram complained to him about the shortage of staff to conduct raids on units manufacturing and supplying illicit liquor.

The funds required to meet various requirements of the department have not yet been released, he said.

Student woes
Mr Suresh also visited the social welfare department.

District social welfare officer Jayaram alleged that the construction of eight hostels has not yet completed though Rs 267 lakh was released for the same purpose five years ago.

Reacting to this Mr Suresh directed the concerned authorities to get the work completed in three months.
There are 79 hostels for students in the district.

However, there are only 28 wardens working.

The capacity of these hostels is to accommodate only 1210 students. However, there are 3900 students staying in them. Hence it has become very difficult to run the hostels, said Mr Jayaram.

It was brought to the notice of Mr Suresh that there is shortage of register books in the regional transport department.

Mr Suresh directed the transport officials to take due action in this connection and ensure that the shortage is met at the earliest.  He said shortage of staff is a glaring problem in almost all the departments and suitable measures will soon be taken to fill up this gap.