Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, May 8: "The drinking water situation in the city has developed into a crisis because of improper and inefficient management of water available at Baje dam. Therefore, the district administration should immediately begin to supply water to the people by tankers," demanded MLA, Raghupati Bhat.
He was addressing a press meet here on Tuesday May 7.
"If the water supply management had been done properly, water from Baje dam could have been stretched for 40 more days. Now the situation has gone out of hand. Therefore, providing water to the people through tankers is the only option available," he felt.
Bhat noted that every year, water used to be provided by tankers starting from February or March but this time, tanker water has not been provided even though it is May. "When questioned, the deputy commissioner says that the municipal officials have not yet provided the file pertaining to tender process. Municipal officials say that the deputy commissioner has asked them to explore the option of supplying water through dredging before anything else," he pointed out. He expressed his resentment about the callous stand taken by the officials on the issue.
Bhat said that if water from Shiroor Math, Mani bridge, Bhandari Gundi and mega pit at Puthige Math had been pumped, at least an additional 25 days of water needs of the people here could have been met. The municipality has woken up the gravity of the problem after the matter turned into a crisis, he criticized.
Bhat said that tenders had been called for pumping of water two months back, but the tenders were not approved. He blamed the officials of the municipality for passing the blame on the deputy commissioner, and the district administration of holding officials responsible. He sternly asked the concerned to take steps to provide tanker waster with immediate effect by setting aside issues concerned with code of conduct. He advised the municipality not to give importance to saving money as far as providing drinking water to the citizens is concerned. He warned that if the issue turns graver, the citizens will divert their anger at the officials.
The press meet was attended by municipal councillor Manjunath Manipal, Girish Anchan, Prabhakar Poojary and Balakrishnaa.
Handling of floods
Raghupati Bhat noted that no preparations have been made so far to undertake flood relief measures, even though the rainy season is round the corner. He stated that the meeting of officials has not yet been held, and drains have not yet been cleared of silt. He warned that floods this time are a certainty in the district as sand has not been extracted from rivers this time and said that if any problem on this matter arises, the district administration would be held directly accountable.
"The government has given permission to extract sand in the district. The district administration should have convened meeting of seven-member committee and given permission for it immediately. Instead, it has decided to hold the meeting on May 14, he noted. Bhat also said that he had in the past, seen the officials who overlooked legal hurdles in an effort to vibe to the problems of the people, but he had for the first time, been encountering officials who are trying to aggravate the situation further.
The MLA said that special puja would be offered to Lord Srikrishna, Mukhyaprana, Lord Anantheshwara and Lord Chandramouleshwara temples under the leadership of Paryaya Palimaru Math head, Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji on May 10, seeking divine intervention for causing rains in the region. The municipal councillors will be present at these pujas, he stated, and requested for such prayers for rain to be offered in all the temples, mosques and churches.