Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 13: District-in-charge minister U T Khader paid a visit to Kanekere in Deralakatte on the outskirts of the city on Monday November 12, where traces of oil were found in the well water.

Khader discussed the issue with the president and vice-president of Belma gram panchayat and said that the water in the well indeed contains traces of petrol. The locals set fire to the water from the well and showed the burning water to the minister.

Speaking to the scribes after the visit, U T Khader said, "I have spoken to the deputy commissioner and have asked him to send the sample of this well water to the experts at NITK or MRPL to find out the reason for the oil content in the water. Also, the water of the three wells, in which the traces of oil are found, needs to be completely drained and checked whether the oil is still found in the fresh stream of water that will fill the wells after draining. Then, by checking the water we can arrive at a conclusion on this issue.

"The gram panchayat is supplying drinking water to the locals as a special consideration for one hour each day. Zilla panchayat engineer is also notified to find out a suitable place in the area to drill a tube well. This locality also has the issue of waste water and the panchayat is asked to submit a report in this regard to the deputy commissioner. Due to the waste water issue, the menace of mosquitoes has increased. Mosquito nets will be provided free of cost to the government hospitals. I will also speak to the local panchayat and MCC regarding the setting up of a sewage treatment plant in this locality and construct the same under the government grant of Rs 20 lac from the government. If the cost of construction goes beyond the grant given by the government, then the owner of the building has to bear the same."

N S Kareem, president, minority cell of district Congress, Mustafa Harekala, vice-president of Ullal Block Congress, Abdul Sattar, vice-president, Belma gram panchayat, Azeez Malar, JD (S) leader, Dr Ramakrishna Rao, district medical officer and Naveen Hegde, panchayat development officer were present.