District -in-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao speaks during KDP meeting held at ZP hall in Mangaluru on Monday.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: The issue of irregularities in the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, which was envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections, was raised during the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting chaired by District -in -Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday.
Raising the issue, KDP member Melwyn D'Souza alleged that works were not carried out as per the detailed project report (DPR).
"The authorities are claiming that connections have been made in the areas where no pipelines have been laid. They are pressurising to hand over the works to the gram panchayats. Bills are generated without carrying out the works,” he alleged.
Further, he said an incomplete overhead tank has been constructed on private land. The constructed overhead tanks are also not tested by storing water in it.
Hearing the complaints, Rao directed Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Anand K to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.
Renewal of recognition
On renewal of recognition of aided and unaided schools, DDPI Venkatesh Patagar said that 297 schools had applied out of which 30 schools have received the renewal certificate for 10 years. The remaining schools'have been renewed for one year. However, MLC Bhoje Gowda alleged that schools are harassed in the name of renewal of recognition especially with regard to fire safety and building safety issues. To which, the minister promised to bring it to the notice of the Minister for School Education, demanding a separate policy on fire and building safety for school buildings.
BJP MLAs, MP, MLC walk out
BJP elected representatives, including Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, MLAs Harish Poonja, Vedavyas Kamath, Rajesh Naik, Dr Y Bharath Shetty and MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur boycotted the KDP meeting. BJP MLAs accused the Congress government of not sanctioning funds for development works and rain relief to the district for the last two years. Harish Poonja alleged that no funds have been released for filling potholes and repairing anganwadi and school buildings that are damaged in rain. Dr Bharath Shetty said that no funds have been released for the minor irrigation department to install wooden planks to the vented dams to store water for summer. Kamath also accused the government of diverting Rs 72 crore meant for Jalasiri project (envisioned 24X7 water supply to Mangaluru city).
The legislators walked out of the meeting even before the minister and officials provided a reply to their query. Later, Rao said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already announced Rs 6,000 crore during the recently concluded Legislature Session in the state. The CM had announced Rs 2000 crore for rain relief works and Rs 4000 crore for the PWD. Walking out of the meeting just for The sake of publicity is not a good sign.
Officials said Rs 456.10 lakh has been released for taking up 244 works related to rain damages pertaining to schools. Of which, 104 works have been completed. Rs 44 crore has been submitted to the government for the repair of roads. KUIDFC official said that restoration work on the dug roads are in progress. About Rs 21 crore is pending to be released for the work. To which, Rao said that he has already spoken to KUIDFC MD who in turn has promised to release the pending amount within 15 days. He also directed to accelerate the work and complete it within the time frame.