Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Mar 25: MLA Rajesh Naik directed officials to use the available resources and supply drinking water wherever there is scarcity.

Speaking in the meeting presided over by him at the taluk panchayat auditorium on Saturday in view of the drinking water woes, he said that there will be scarcity of water for next two months if it does not rain. “In such conditions officers should undertake more responsibility and supply water under JJM project or by digging bore wells,” he said.

Zilla panchayat chief executive Dr Kumar said that the Bahugram drinking water project is in progress in Bantwal taluk. “Alternative sources of water should be found during water scarcity. If work under JJM project does not start, the PDOs should dig bore wells at least and supply water,” he said.

“New bore wells should be dug only if the existing borewells cannot be made to function. The fifth finance commission funds can be used if pipelines are necessary. If there is scarcity of water where there is Bahugram drinking water project, it amounts to failure in the implementation of the project. Sangabettu Bahugram drinking water project has failed completely,” he said.

Sangabettu gram panchayat president Sathish Poojary Alake, Arala gram panchayat president Laxmidhar Shetty and Kukkipady gram panchayat president Sujatha R Poojary complained of scarcity of water. Bharathi Rajendra Poojary spoke about the issues at Chennaithodi.

“There are issues of water at Glothamajalu gram due to national highway work. The matter should be brought to the notice of the PDO,” said the CEO. Mani gram panchayat president Balakrishna Alva said that Bahugram drinking water pipeline also gets spoiled.

“PDOs that did not come for the meeting without permission should come to my office and give clarification,” said Kumar.

“Bore wells cannot be dug in the gram panchayat limits due to opposition from locals,” said assistant engineer Krishna. Zilla panchayat CEO Kumar asked to register cases against such people.

Rural drinking water and hygiene department executive engineer Narendra Babu, Bantwal assistant engineer G K Nayak, PDO, gram panchayat president and vice president were present. Taluk panchayat EO Rajanna welcomed and rendered a vote of thanks.