Relax model code to enable effective monitoring of drought relief measures: Ivan D’Souza

Relax model code to enable effective monitoring of drought relief measures: Ivan D’Souza

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 6, 2019: MLC and parliamentary secretary to revenue minister Ivan D’Souza urged chief secretary to impress on the  Election Commission to immediately relax model code of conduct imposed on account of on-going general election.

The code is hampering ability of legislature and the executiive from taking urgent decisions that need to be taken to meet the emergent drought and water crisis that is starting several parts of the state, he said.

Noting that EC has partially lifted ban on the executive from from reviewing drought and monsoon preparedness issues, Ivan told reporters on Monday that onus is now fully on the executive to deliver the various drought and monsoon mitigating measures. The code may be enforced in those districts where by-elections are due on May 19 and in areas  where urban local body polls have been notified and relaxed for rest of the state, Ivan said.

The model code has prevented elected representatives including district ministers from reviewing any of the above mentioned works, including a ban on holding of cabinet meetiing where important decisions can be taken, he said. If the Election Commission does not relax the rules pertaining to the model code and insists on its continuation till May 26, lot of people are bound to suffer with the summer accentuating with each passing day, he said.

Slamming former CM B S Yeddyurappa who insisted the model code be implemented till May 26 as envisaged, Ivan said revenue department has released ?32 crore to meet drinking water issues. There is Rs 6 crore in the DCs account in DK for any drought, drinking water issues that need to be attended to, he said, adding water will be supplied using tankers if the need for it arises based on demand that the locals raise as per local conditions.

The district administration has permitted sinking of seven bore wells in MCC limits and work on it will start at the earliest, he said. With water level at Thumbe dam, the main  reservoir for the city standing at 4.38m on Monday as against 5.60m on the same day last year, Ivan said it will be only prudent that the water is supplied daily to counter the evaporation loss rather than the staggered manner in which water is being supplied at present, he said.

The district administration must also take a stand on permitting dredging of the vented dam so that water storage capacity there goes up, he said. The dredging proposal is at tendering stage and if the process is expedited and the accumulated silt at the vented dam removed, it will only augment storage, he said. Efforts are also on the effectively utilise funds released through rural development and panchayati raj department for drought relief, he added.

Courtesy: Times of India