Raichur: The Raichur Zilla Panchayat in its general body meeting here on Thursday has decided to constitute a three-member team to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of a rural water supply scheme in the district.

The meeting was chaired by Roopa Niranjan Bale, president of the zilla panchayat. Pamaiah Murari, vice-president; and N. Manjunath Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat; were present.

The issue came up for discussion when Bhagirathi Mallesh of the ruling Congress told the meeting that Salkyapura village in Deodurga taluk was the worst affected with regard to drinking water supply. Two years ago, the zilla panchayat had sanctioned Rs. 2.17 crore to augment drinking water supply in the village.

The scheme was being implementing for the past two years by the Karnataka Land Army Corporation. However, the progress was not as expected, she added. Last year, the corporation had promised to speed up implementation of the scheme and complete it by December. However, work on the scheme had been suspended since the past few months. Villagers had been forced to fetch water from far off sources, Ms. Mallesh said.

Rajashekar Naik and Prakash Jegarkal of Congress, supported of Ms. Mallesh, asked the meeting to take action against the officials concerned for their failure to complete the scheme on time.

When the Chief Executive Officer demanded an explanation on the allegations, the officials concerned in the corporation said work on the scheme had been suspended owing to lack of funds. Of the Rs. 217 crore estimated, the corporation had spent Rs.1.70 crore on laying pipelines and other work.

It needed Rs. 47 lakh more to complete the remaining work. The meeting decided to constitute a three-member team comprising the Deputy Secretary of the Zilla Panchayat, Ms. Mallesh and the executive engineer of the ZP's engineering division.

The meeting also discussed complaints of tardy implementation of the Gnangakalyana Scheme in the district. Harinarayana of the Janata Dal (Secular) charged the officials concerned at the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation here of irregularities in implementation of the scheme. He told the meeting that there was a nexus between the officials and the contractors in creating false bills.

He demanded that the meeting order for an inquiry into the malpractices and asked the zilla panchayat to stop payments of all pending bills to the contractors.

Meeting

A meeting of elected representatives and zilla panchayat members in the district will be held on February 17 to discuss steps to be taken to augment drinking water supply in the summer.

Many members complained that several villages in their constituencies had no proper water supply.

Mr. Manjunath Prasad said he had decided to convene a meeting of all engineers concerned on January 29 to review pending proposals on improvement of drinking water supply in rural areas. The meeting would finalise the estimates the same day as funds would lapse on January 30.

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