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Udupi : Revenue Minister of Karnataka state Mr. R. V. Deshpande took officials to task for their failure to solve the drinking water problem during the summer and also cleaning storm water drains. He was chairing a development review meeting at Zilla Panchayat Hall, Rajathadri, Manipal here on Tuesday, June 18.

He warned the officials for failure in giving importance to supply of drinking water especially in Udupi CMC limit areas. K. Raghupathy Bhat local MLA informed the Revenue Minister that Udupi Municipality had provided water through tankers only to four municipal wards out of 35 wards. Bhat as well as municipal councilors provided drinking water to their respective wards with their own expenses. Tender has cleared only for four wards. Replying to Minister said that all officials should respect the elected representatives who are elected by the people. We have the mandate. He taken a task to Udupi Municipal Commissioner Anand Kallolikar that June month is coming to an end and now the tender has got finalized for other wards. There is no lack of funds, why is water not supplied. It is insult to the government, he said.

Mr Deshpande also faulted the officials for not giving importance to cleanliness and sanitation programmes. He directed the Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati and Zilla Panchayat CEO Sindhu B. Rupesh to visit all gram panchayats and ger first hand information. He also directed the CEO to send intimations to all PDOs and submit the report on drainage management.

Minister said that a fund of Rs 45 lakh has been sanctioned to the municipality for solve the drinking water problem in Udupi CMC limit. The supplying water through tankers is a temporary solution. There are 1600 bore wells in the district which is huge number. Even though such number the reason to fail the drinking water in the district is a serious issue. The total outcome of the bore wells should be investigated and directed the CEO and DC for the immediate report in the matter.

The state government has taken up several measures to face the drought situation in the state. Our first priority should be given to drinking water. There is deficit of 47% rain in this season up to now., he said.

Deshpande said that there should need to give importance to Swachha Andolan. Along with the government people also do support the Swachh Anadolan.

Raghupathy Bhat informed the minister that the forest department was refusing to give permission for construction of houses on 21 acres of land at Uppoor because of plantation on it. Replying to Deshoande said that when the land did not Forest Department, it could not interfere in the matter.  He said did the forest department take permission to plant the acasia trees belonging to Revenue Department? Hence, the trees should be felled within a week and matter should be resolved in a week.

Deshpande questioned individually tahsildars of Udupi, Kaup, Karkala and Kundapur taluks on the grants utilized by them in their respective taluks. He directed the DC to release 40 lakh each to Udupi and Brahmavar taluks and 30 lakh for Kaup taluk.

Speaking to media persons after the review meeting, Minister Deshpande said that the development review meeting held after six months due to various reasons like election and other. But since six months he has been promptly sending letters to all district administration regarding drinking water supply management, he said.

Replying to media persons regarding the absence of district in-charge minister Dr Jayamala in the development review meeting, he said she is attending state level meeting at Bengaluru. She contacted me last night and told me about the meeting. Let us concern towards women. She told me if necessary she will attend the meeting. But I told her it is alright. She will surely conduct meeting here soon, he said.

Opposition leader in legislative council Kota Srinivas Poojary, Lalaji Mendon MLA, Ivan D’Souza MLC, Zill Panchayat President Dinakar Babu and vice president Sheela K Shetty, Nisha James Superintendent of Police, Udupi district and other among were present.