'DC should probe into irregularities in desilting work'

Rajya Raita Sangha state Secretary M Manjunath has urged Deputy Commissioner B S Shekharappa to conduct an inquiry into the misappropriation in the work of desilting of lakes and submit a report within the stipulated period.

Addressing mediapersons on Monday, Manjunath said that in the year 2010-11, an action plan for rejuvenating 239 lakes was prepared and the work order was given to the contractors.

Out of 239 lakes, work on 89 lakes was dropped as they were filled with water and boulders. Normally ‘Jali’ variety plant is not grown in Adaralli region in Chikmagalur taluk.

But, the deputy commissioner who is the chairman of the Lake Development Committee has given administrative approval for the action plan which speaks of growing the same variety of plant.

Fake records have been created in Thubukere lake development work in Hampapur. As per the guidelines, desilting should not be carried out for more than one metre deep. The guidelines have been violated in all most all the works.

Citing an example of Kallallikatte lake at Kuruvangi, he said that the actual width of the lake is 102.10 metres, the project estimation shown the width as 102.980 metres.

If the actual width of Chikkanahalli Kalkere is 3.26 acre, the record shows that desilting work has been taken up on five acre lake. As per the guidelines, the contractors are supposed to construct boundary trench by the side of lakes, which too has not been met, Manjunath alleged.

“As the district administration had failed to act, the Raitha Sangha had complained to the Lokayukta. In the recently held Lokayukta grievance redressal meeting, the deputy commissioner has been nominated as the investigation officer to conduct an inquiry.

The DC should respect the order of the Lokayukta and carry out the inquiry without further delay and submit a report to the higher authorities,” he demanded.