‘Repair purified drinking water units before July 15’

Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi said that the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) and the Department of Rural Drinking Water Supply are directed to repair all the purified drinking water plants in the district by July 15.

In the Zilla Panchayat meeting chaired by president Meenakshi Shanthigodu on Monday, the CEO said that the minister for rural development and Panchayat Raj in his meeting last month, had given instructions to the officials to repair the Shuddha drinking water units (purified drinking water plants). If officials fail to do so, then disciplinary action would be initiated against such erring officials as per the directions of the minister.

Number of units

The CEO said that the state government had sanctioned 277 Shuddha drinking water units to the district, of which, 77 units were dropped due to various reasons. As many as 73 units have been and 78 units are yet to be commissioned. Out of 73 units, a total of 69 units are actually functioning as per the report submitted by the officials from KRIDL to the government.

The purified drinking water units were touted as panacea for the drinking water crisis in rural areas. The project entailed the installation of Reverse Osmosis machines to ensure that people get pure drinking water. However, due to the neglect of the officials, the machines have become defunct in several places, said member Manjula Madhava Mave. Further, she said the unit at Mani is not in good condition.

Supporting her, member Mamatha Gatti said that the unit that was installed at Ira has remained defunct for the last two months.

Discretionary powers

The CEO said that the state government has left it to his discretionary power to decide on the maintenance of such units.

Janardhan Gowda, chairperson of the Council Committee that was formed to inspect the functioning of all the purified drinking water units in the district, said that the Committee had visited 36 units so far. “There is lack of coordination among the local body and the KRIDL. Even the directions issued by the Committee to the KRIDL has not been followed. The Committee will submit its report shortly,” he said.

The CEO appealed to the Committee chairperson to include suggestions on the maintenance of the drinking water units in the report as well.

Swacchhastra units

The members said that dumping of garbage beside the national highway continues even after the Zilla Panchayat initiating measures to book complaints against such erring individuals.

The Zilla Panchayat CEO, in response to the complaint, directed the executive officers of Mangaluru and Bantwal to take the issue seriously and act accordingly.

Further, he said that the district water and sanitation committee has given approval for setting up ‘Swacchhastra’ units for scientific disposal of dry waste that decay in the soil and a few solid waste like plastic in 51 gram panchayats in the district.

Paschima Vahini

The official from the Minor Irrigation Department said that 11 works worth Rs 261.2 crore have been sanctioned to Dakshina Kannada under the Paschima Vahini project. Of these, 10 works are in the stages of calling for tender.

The consultants have been asked to prepare a DPR on the bridge cum barrage at Harekala, the official said.

Ganga Kalyana: Panel to be formed

The Council of the Zilla Panchayat resolved to constitute a council committee to look into all the Ganga Kalyana projects sanctioned under four corporations of the government in the last two years.

Announcing the same, President Meenakshi Shanthigodu said that the committee should submit its report by next meeting. The committee should speak to all the beneficiaries, she added.