DK Zilla Panchayat approves fresh drinking water projects

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 9, 2016: After a lengthy discussion for over two and half hours, on  Aug 8, Monday, the ratio was changed to 60:40 for spill-over and fresh works respectively.  The DK, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat passed a resolution for the second consecutive time to take up fresh projects with funds released from the state grant for the supply of rural drinking water. In the last meeting held on June 7, the zilla panchayat members had resolved to take up the fresh works and spill-over works on 50:50 ratio.

Member M S Mohammed accused the officials of not considering the resolution passed in the meeting while preparing the agenda. The members, irrespective of party affiliation, expressed their dismay at the failure of the zilla panchayat officials in implementing the resolution passed in the last meeting.

DK ZP President Meenakshi Shanthigodu in the last meeting had resolved to earmark 50% of the fund released for drinking water for fresh work and remaining 50% to be used for spill over works. Accused that the resolution has been sidelined by the officials, the zilla panchayat members took the officials to task.

Department of Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation division executive engineer said that the 850 spillover works are pending in Dakshina Kannada district, amounting to Rs 78.2 crore. The state government has released Rs 34.3 crore and issued a clear direction to complete the spillover works before taking up any fresh projects. The official said that a letter has been written to the chief engineer seeking guidance over earmarking 50 per cent of the fund for spillover works and the remaining for fresh projects.

Members Janardhan Gowda, Harish Kanjipili, Mamatha Gatti, Sucharitha Shetty, Shahul Hameed, Tungappa Bangera asked what the need was for having 36 elected representatives in the zilla panchayat if the officials decide about the works.

When zilla panchayat CEO P I Sreevidya clarified that the resolution has been sent to the department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and there was no change in the resolution. The guidelines of the state government can not be flouted while utilising the funds under state sector.

As the members were adamant demanding earmarking fund for the fresh works, the zilla panchayat president resolved to utilise funds on 60:40 ratio. To which, the CEO said that “along with the action plan, the new list of works will also be sent to the government for approval.The resolution will be implemented only after getting approval from the state government.”

When members sought to know whether the ZP president will take the responsibility for implementing the resolution, she said a delegation will be taken to the state government to solve the problem and to seek additional fund for completing the multi-village drinking water projects. It was also promised to hold a special meeting to discuss on spillover works in DK.