Complete pending works on NH on war-footing, says Kodgi

The Task Force for Implementation of Third Finance Commission Report Chairman A G Kodgi said the works on the incomplete NH-66 stretch should be resumed at the earliest to make it feasible for motorists as it may create havoc during monsoon.

Speaking at the review meeting of the district-level officers organised by Coastal Development Authority, Kodgi said the stretch has been left orphaned half way and the incomplete stretch will definitely pose threat to the travellers in the coming days, especially during monsoon.

He expressed concern over lack of drains on either side of the roads which will result in flooding.

Coastal Development Authority Chairman Tingalay Vikramarjuna Hegde said the officials do not attend meeting and there is no response from their side.

The half constructed bridges too should be taken into consideration. The work that is kept pending for long duration will not prove useful in terms of quality and toughness.

Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju said review meeting was held twice in Bangalore in the presence of Chief Secretary. The NH officials cite the reason of partially completed land acquisition process. However, in reality, land acquisition process has been completed. The possession of the land is not taken and if the work resumes, the people in the area will vacate immediately. The NH officials are given details and also Chief Secretary is being informed, he said.

Task Force for Implementation of Third Finance Commission Report Member Timme Gowda said the detailed report on 3rd Finance Commission recommendations is given to the government in 2008. As per the recommendations, a demand for allotment of Rs 5 crores to Rs 10 crores to Zilla Panchayat is put forth and the government is also urged to ensure freedom to the House to utilise the released funds.

Power for CDA

Meanwhile, Hegde demanded executive powers for Coastal Development Authority (CDA) and Kodgi urged the government to enable the Authority with executive powers and added that there is a need for elaborate plans to eradicate drinking water problems in the district. Multi Village Drinking water scheme should be encouraged, he added.

Hegde said that as many as 20 villages are selected under the Multi Village Drinking water scheme. As many as 20 people have put tender for the project. Everything will be finalised on January 11, he added.

Kodgi also said that Soubhagya Sanjeevini Yojane should be handed over to Coastal Development Authority and Rs 10 crore should be immediately released to carry out the projects designed under the programme. Hegde said that vision document is prepared for Soubhagya Sanjeevini Yojane. The first round talks are held and plans are on to involve the Company that handled river Narmada drinking water project in Gujarat, he added.
Kodgi regretted that government is not giving priority to rural development. The government approves the idea of rural development, however, it has failed to take measures and allot sufficient funds for rural development.

The government should earmark minimum of Rs 10,000 crores for rural development, he stressed.

ZP Member Babu Shetty alleged that even though enough funds are released, there is no single class room construction work that is taken up in the district.DDPI Nagendra Madhaystha said the tender process for the construction works of school buildings and classrooms are done at State-level and district is not informed. However, the DC said Karnataka Residential Education Society is in charge of the tender process and other issues connected with the construction of school structures.

ZP CEO Prabhakar Sharma said that there are 13,000 to 15,000 houses without toilets owing to technical problems. Kodgi directed district Health Department officials to look into the matter that cancer patients are not treated in KMC under Vajpayee Arogya Shree Yojana. The official said that KMC, Manipal is reluctant to take cancer patients for treatment as the sum of Rs 1.5 lakhs offered under the scheme is insufficient to treat cancer, he added.