Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Feb 26: Expressing concern over inadequate measures taken by the officials in various taluks to prepare for the summer, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim on Thursday February 25 instructed the executive officers and tahsildars of the respective taluk panchayats to take initiatives for providing drinking water by conducting a survey of the areas facing scarcity of water.

He was addressing the meeting of taluk panchayats executive officers and tahsildars at the DC’s court hall here. The meeting was convened to review the condition of the water resources in the district in preparation for the approaching summer.

Examining the status of drinking water availability and supply in various taluk panchayats limits, he said that that several villages are likely to face shortage of water in future and hence, necessary measures needs to be taken to this effect from now on. He directed the taluk panchayats executive officers and tahsildars to address the issue of drinking water with topmost priority.

He also instructed the officials to conduct a survey of households facing shortage of water and also the available sources of water nearby from where the water could be drawn, and take alternative measures.

The executive officers said that in Mangaluru, Kotekar, Konaje and Manjanady villages face water scarcity. In Ullal, Kapikad and Chembugudde are the problematic areas. Ullal CMC executive officer said that as per an agreement with Mangaluru City Corporation, Ullal is supposed to receive three MLD of water, but only 1.5 MLD is supplied at present. Bantwal TP executive officer said that there is shortage of water in Kodnad, Balepuni, Naringana and Pajir.

Additional deputy commissioner Kumar, pointing out at supply of tanker water to villages even if there was a possibility of alternatve measures, said, "The taluk panchayats cannot directly purchase water. If there are no alternative sources available, then permission must be availed from the district task force headed by the DC to fix the rate for water through quotation. But at present, taluk panchayats are directly purchasing water to supply through tankers."

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim noted that several gram panchayats have been giving permission to private parties to dig borewells within 500 meter radius of public water resources, flouting the rules of Karnataka Ground Water Act. He warned of serious action against violators.

District health officer Ramakrishna, ZP CEO Shrividya, MCC environmental engineer Manjunath and others were present.

DC conducts Jamabandi - pulls up officials for lack of preparations

Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Feb 26: Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, A B Ibrahim, presided over the Jamabandi programme of revenue department that was pending since several years, at the travellers’ bungalow here on Thursday February 25.

Finding that most of his queries during the review programme went unanswered in spite of the fact that he had issued them the warning a week back to come prepared, the DC got angry, and repeatedly took officials to task. Questions raised by him on Land Reforms Act, recovery of revenue, land conversion, regularization of encroachments, religious endowments etc most of the time encountered stoic silence of the officials, and at times, the response appeared to be lackadaisical and confusing.

The DC was found to be repeatedly teaching the revenue officials about the nuances of record maintenance and keeping their knowledge updated. Most of the village accountants failed to even properly furnish information about the area of villages, population, details of agricultural fields, government lands in their jurisdiction, grazing lands etc.

Ibrahim even found the tahasildar and deputy tahasildar groping for answers at times. He asked officials to have their knowledge on laws and details of villages regularly refreshed. He observed that the officials, who spoke aggressively with people seeking their services, were sitting silent in the said meeting. Telling the officials that he had reviewed the department's functioning for two years, and that the Jamabandi for the remaining two years would be conducted during the next month, he warned them of taking action if their approach remains unsatisfactory then.

Member of Akrama Sakrama Samiti, Rajashekhar Ajri, complained about files on regularization cleared by the Samiti remaining pending for long periods in the taluk office. He blamed officials for following delaying tactics.

Additional deputy commissioner, Kumar, Puttur assistant commissioner, Dr Rajendra, tahasildar, Prasannamurty, and others were present.