Water woes dominate KDP meet

Out of 121 planned borewells in DK, only 56 have been dug up

Drinking water problem was the main issue of discussion at the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat KDP monthly review meeting convened at Zilla Panchayat hall, on Tuesday.

Addressing the members, ZP President Koragappa Naik raised the issue as many taluks of the district, especially Belthangady are facing scarcity of water. Every now and then, the people complain about the pending works, he rued.

The official concerned of the department said that in Belthangady taluk, the task force was directed to dig 24 borewells, but only 4 borewells have been dug up. Even in Mangalore, only 18 borewells have been dug up, out of 44 and 26 are pending. In Bantwal too, only 23 out of 33 borewells have been dug up.

In Puttur, work on 9 borewells have been started following the protest by the public, while in Sullia, 11 borewells have been dug up as per the planning.

 Officials said that the shortage of the geologists is the main reason for delay in work. The district has got one geologist. Though the issue was raised about two months ago, the problem is yet to be solved. In his reply, Koragappa Naik suggested to take help from private companies.

Meanwhile, he ordered the Mescom to provide electricity to borewell pumps.
 
Health camp for kids

While the ZP president expressed concern over the increasing cases of under-weight children, the women and child welfare department Deputy Director Shakunthala said that the district health department will conduct special health camp for anganawadi kids, from June. She also said that education department officials can use health department vehicles for any development works. Education dept official said that there are 714 schools to be repaired in the year 2013-14. He said that in corporation areas, there is a plan of conducting surveys everyday to find out nomadic children.

Electricity

Mangalore Mescom engineer said that 1,071 houses have been identified in 74 gramas of Mangalore taluk, which are yet to be given electricity supply. He said that the work is going on and will be finished within eight months.

PWD, mining dept tiff

During the meeting, PWD engineers and mining and geology department officials shared some problems they face. While PWD official alleged that roads are being damaged due to the plying of vehicles following the unrestricted license issued by the Mining department, the Mining department official said that they can give licence as per the rules but can’t control the number of vehicles.

The mining department official also said that it would be of great help if Temporary Licence System (TLS) is introduced to red rock quarrying and a new system to collect revenue. DK ZP Vice President Chandrahas Rai, Education and Health Standing Committee President Asha Thimmappa Gowda and ZP Deputy Secretary P M Shashidhar among others were present.