Addressing a meeting of senior officials here, he wanted officers of all the departments concerned to take urgent steps so that scarcity for drinking water was not felt by people in the district. If required, they should discuss with the deputy commissioner and take permission to sink new bore wells.

A plan of action to tackle drinking water problem should be prepared within a week and produce the same before the next meeting.

On the scarcity of drinking water atop Chamundi Hills since last two days, the minister directed the officials to visit the spot immediately and attend work. Steps should be taken to check outbreak of epidemics in rural areas. Over delay in work being undertaken by M/s Jusco, a public utility company on 24 X 7 water supply scheme, the minister said a meeting of officials will be conducted next week.

There were complaints that the pits dug to lay the new pipeline have not been filled up. It was the duty of the company concerned to ensure that the roads are repaired immediately after the repair works.

 The MCC officials should visit the spot and take necessary action, he added. Regarding the Excel plant, Ramdas said work should have been completed in April last year. The officer who failed to ensure its completion, should be suspended with immediate effect. Citizens were suffering due to delay in the completion of work. Laxity on the part of officials is highly condemnable.