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Udupi : The issue of drinking water scarcity dominated the general Body meeting of Udupi City Municipal Council with uproar in the council at Satyamurthi Hall here on Friday, 31^st March, 2017.

Raising the issue, Yashpal Suvarna, Opposition Councillor said that CMC had announced that it would be supplying water to the city on alternate days. But water had not been supplied in some areas for more than 8 to 10 days. In support to Yashpal Suvarna, Harish Ram also BJP opposition councilor said that there is acute shortage of water in various city wards and would face severe water problem. The supply of water should be equal for each ward and CMC must act now to tackle the water scarcity and yet atleast two months still pending for the raining.

Janardhan Bhandarkar and Ramesh Kanchan both ruling Congress Councillors intervened the point on the issue while Yashpal Suvarna allegedly used abusive language in Tulu “Kullumbe” (Sit Down). Then Yashpal Suvarna and ruling councilors demanded to apology for his abusive words and warned that he should not use such language in coming days and it was an insult to CMC. Ramesh Kanchan warned and said “Jagrathe” (take care) in using such abusive words. P. Yuvaraj Councillor said that the tradition of supplying water on alternate days to tide over summer crisis had started during Opposition BJP was in power in the CMC. The congress had come to power just four years ago, he said.

There were heated exchanges over the words used by  both the ruling Congress and BJP councilors and opposition members rushed to the well of the council over the issue of using abusive languages. Ms. Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje had to struggle to bring the council to order.

After calm down of the house, Ganesh K Executive Engineer said that the water level in Baje dam has gone down to 1.17 metre. The water storage in the Baje Dam was poor when compared to last year. The water availanle at the dam on 30^th March 2017 was 3.31 metres. But last year the water level in the dam reached the 3.31 metre mark on 24^th April. At present 15 million litres of water per day (mld) was being pumped from the Baje dam, so that water in the reservoir lasts till at least June 5. The daily requirement was 23 mld, he said.

Reghvendra, Environmental Engineer said that at present every day 15mld of water is spent for around 355 apartments in city. The demand for water has been increasing and the source is getting empty. Hill station areas will not able to get water in coming days this year and there are 70 complaints received in related to this.

Prashant Amin, councilor said that the CMC should cut off water supply to the neighbouring  gram panchayats during the time of water scarcity to the city and some councilors both side gave support to him.

D. Manjunathaih, Muncipal Commissioner said that CMC has to give water suppy to the gram panchayats en route and also to Bommarbettu Gram Panchayat due to water was being lifted from a pit in the Swarna river bed at Mane Bridge coming under the Panchayat limits. Alevoor Grama Panchayat had to be provided water as the Solid Waste Management Plant of the CMC located there.  The CMC was holding talks with the Bammarbettu Grama Panchayat urging it to provide 70% of water near Mane Bridge, while the rest could be used by the latter, he said.

CMC President Meenakshi Bannanje said that a special CMC meeting would be held on Saturday, 1^st April to discuss water issue at 3 pm.

Prashanth Amin had joke in regard to controlling stray dogs in the city which previous meeting there was resolution held in this regard, but nothing has achieved.

There were various problems like supply of electricity held during the meeting. Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje presided over the meeting, Sandhya Tilkraj vice president of CMC, D. Manjunathaiah Commissioner, Dr. M. A. Pai Opposition leader and almost all members of the council were present.