Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 16:  The legislator present lent his support to the general concern expressed by the zilla panchayat members, about the shortage of drinking water being experienced in the rural belts of the coast, at the general session of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat held here on Wednesday July 15.

A major chunk of the time of the session presided by Venkat Dambekody, was used up for discussing the water woes. Members from all sections expressed their anguish about the apathy of the officials and the inherent defects in the system that are contributing to the delaying of the execution of the drinking water projects.

MLA U T Khader, who raised the topic, said that the tube wells located in Meramajal, Pajeer etc., within Ullal constituency, are not equipped with pump sets." In case of several tube wells that have become defunct, repairs are not being undertaken. In spite of heavy rains, clean drinking water eludes people. Considering the seriousness of the situation, I have skipped the assembly session to be here to discuss this issue," he informed.

Zilla panchayat member Chandrashekhar Kamat, who said that such problems exist even in Sullia taluk, held the administration system of the zilla panchayat responsible for the lapse. The records take months together to move from one table to another and the officials have been putting forward hurdles in sanctioning the schemes, he said. A C Bhandary said that a underground water source was found three months back at Kurnad village that has been facing acute water shortage since long, but works are yet to start there. Mamata Gatti was aggrieved about the fact that only one work was sanctioned to her constituency by making changes in the action plan for category 9 and 6. Dharanendra Kumar noted that tube wells are failing in Naravi region and suggested instead, to make use of the water of the streams flowing there.

Concerns were also expressed about the fact that huge sums spent for harvesting rain water have gone waste, as the projects executed under this scheme are not functional now.

In his response, president Venkat Dambekody concurred that suffering from drinking water shortage during rainy season drives home the point that the zilla panchayat has failed to function properly. He promised to consider the issues raised by the members seriously. It was also decided that a delegation headed by Venkat Dambekody will approach the rural development and panchayatraj minister to discuss the issues, get more funds sanctioned and to set right the unscientific method of calling for tenders that has been creating lot of problems.

Standing committee chairpersons Sadanand Malli and Rajasri Hegde were present. Chief executive officer P Shivashankar moved the agenda.