TP resolves to stop work on removing silt

The taluk panchayat meeting has resolved to stop the work on removing silt from Hampapura Thoobukere, here on Friday. The members took engineer to task for taking up the work when the waterbody is full.

Raising the issue on desilting the lake at a meeting chaired by president Ambika Shivakumar, vice president Putte Gowda asked whether it was right time to remove silt from a lake.

He said “if silt is removed during summer, then water can be diverted to the fields and will help in increasing the capacity of the lake during monsoon. If the work is initiated during monsoon, then it will benefit only engineers and contractors.”

The contractors who do not come forward to take up the work on roads and buildings, readily accept to remove silt, he said.

Reacting to it, engineer Parameshwarappa said “the work is being initiated under MPLAD. The total cost of the project was Rs 4.90 lakh. A sum of Rs 1.30 lakh has already been paid. The work was initiated during the tenure of the previous engineer.

The meeting resolved to suspend the work.”

The Vice President said “water tank at Beekanahalli is leaking. The tank was inaugurated only six months ago. Hence, the work on its repair should be taken up immediately.”

When former president Kanakaraja Urs raised the issue of action against Karthikere school head teacher, the BEO said that notices have been issued to the head teacher and letter has been sent to the DDPI to take action against head teacher.

Excise inspector Shekar said that meeting has been convened in five villages including Chithuvalli to create awareness on ill-affects of illicit liquor.

Taluk panchayat EO Gangadhar and standing committee president Meenakshi Dharmaiah were present.