Incomplete work on drinking water schemes irks Zilla Panchayat members

The incomplete work on the multi-village drinking water schemes initiated during 2010 was discussed at length at the ZP meeting here on Thursday. 

Member Manjunath Poojary said that the two pilot projects of multi -village drinking water schemes were initiated at Hebri and Nitte in Karkala taluk in 2010. However, the scheme has failed to supply water to the residents. 

MLC Prathapchandra Shetty urged the CEO to clarify the doubts, as the work has remained incomplete even after adequate funding. A proposal on 26 other multi -village schemes has been sent to the government and raised doubt whether the projects will be a reality. 

Of the total 146 gram panchayats in the district, about 84 gram panchayat suffer from acute water shortage during peak summer. He questioned the criteria for selecting the villages for the multi -village drinking water schemes. 

The Panchayat Raj Engineering Division official said that initially the project was estimated at a cost of Rs 800 lakh. However, government released only Rs 250 lakh. The funds released was enough for the construction of first phase of work, which comprises of vented dam, jack-well and treatment plant.

The second phase of the project needs to be approved. The government has sanctioned Rs 130 crore to take up the work on multi -village drinking water schemes at Nada and Yedthare.  

Action against PDO

The members demanded stringent action against Perdur gram panchayat PDO who has indecently used a flag post for leisurely activities.

Member Geethanjali Suvarna said that the PDO should be immediately suspended or dismissed from work as he was sitting on the flag post with cigarettes in his hands. The members said that criminal proceedings should be initiated against him. 

CEO Kangavalli said that she would initiate an inquiry and take stringent action against the PDO. 

Cleanliness drive

The lackadaisical attitude of district administration and Zilla Panchayat in fulfilling the  objective under Swacch Bharath Abhiyan was also flayed by the members.

Member Ananth Muwadi said that Maravanthe gram panchayat has  ignored the maintenance and  cleanliness of the beach. The beach cries for attention. About 2,000 tourists visit the beach daily.  

Reacting to it, the CEO said that various programmes have been initiated under Swacch Bharath Abhiyan.

Kundapur EO said that the gram panchayats adjoining the national highway are finding it difficult to implement the provisions of the programme as the people who travel, dump the garbage on the road. Member Manjunath Poojary said that the house should take a resolution against the Project Tiger.

Udupi Tahsildar Guruprasad said that 156 acre of government land has been handed over to the homeless needy during last year.

Member Ganapathy Sriyan demanded accommodation facilities to 15 Koraga families who stay in a private property in Wakvadi village.