Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 7: "So far the government has spent Rs 689 on the Varahi Irrigation project and yet it has not benefitted the farmers. The officials are not taking any action to solve the problems faced by the farmers. What is the meaning of non-payment of compensation to the victims of the project? What do you think is the meaning of democracy?" asked Udupi district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj to the officials.

The minister held a progress review meeting at the government guest house at Hosangadi after inspecting Varahi Irrigation project on Monday March 6.

"What do you do to the complaints received from people? Don’t you review the complaints? Don’t you inspect the place after receiving complaints? You may be new in the job. But don’t you know that you should check the old files? Why don’t you respond to the problems of the aggrieved who lost their land? Do not forget that there is a life behind each file," he said to the officials venting his anger at them.

Hearing complaints from the aggrieved that three houses were damaged due to explosion during the construction of Varahi canal and no compensation was paid to them and while the officials started to justify the delay, the minister shouted at them. "If the aggrieved in the project are not paid compensation, it is a big pain. Has the strength of the engineer diminished? Don’t the contractors listen to you?" he asked the officials.

"Several of the problems in Varahi are solved during the last two years. Water is seen in some places. People have got the hope that water will flow in the canal. The water flowing in the canal should be put to good use. Prepare to supply water to the farmers on priority basis. The project will be successful only when water is supplied to the land of the farmers. Find out the problems and their solutions. Inspect those places and hold meetings of the concerned officials," he said.

MLA, KSRTC president K Gopala Poojari, Vidhana Parishat member K Pratapchandra Shetty, Kota Srinivasa Poojary, deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, Taluk panchayat president Jayashree Mogaveera, assistant commissioner Shilpa Nag, Zilla panchayat member Taranath Shetty, DFO, Varahi project MD, taluk panchayat member Vasudeva Pai and others were present.

Mescom director Sampigedi Sanjiva Shetty compered the programme.

Gopal Poojary expresses anger against forest department

"Forest department hinders Varahi project work. It was not possible to reach the goal because of their obstacles. Forest department pokes its nose into everything," said MLA K Gopal Poojary.

"The forest department stops the work, giving some reason. Work has faced setback because of noncooperation of forest department," he said.

Pratapchandra Shetty said, "Rs 689 crore has been spent on the project. Water has started flowing only towards 3375 hectares area from left canal. It has to flow to another thirteen thousand hectares in the same canal. The work on right side canal has not started. The land was reserved forest 37 years ago. The forest department had given its permission then. What is the meaning that they are refusing permission now? The forest department should conduct introspection about it.

Contractors should be told of their responsibility when tenders are called. The work cannot be completed if time limits are not specified. Problems should be solved. The responsibility of the officials does not get over after the meeting. This is not a drama. We are not artistes. People question us. Officials should work in a responsible manner," said Pratapchandra Shetty.