BIJAPUR: Amita Prasad, Regional Commissioner for Development, on Wednesday took the zilla panchayat's engineering department to task for the poor progress in executing drought relief works.

Reviewing the progress of development works with district officials here, she set June 10 as the deadline to complete the remaining work. The department had been entrusted with 942 relief components, but it could complete only 650 of them.

Executive Engineer Kengnal tried to explain the reasons for the delay. But she said that she needed no explanation. Also, there was not much progress with regard to flood relief works along the Bhima. Though monsoon was fast approaching, a substantial portion of relief work was yet to commence, she said and directed him to visit the spot for effective implementation of relief work.

Ms. Prasad also criticised the officials of the Department of Watershed for the slow pace of progress in executing works.

The department was yet to implement 21 watershed projects that should have been completed in the previous year.

She said there was no problem in receiving suggestions from panchayat members, but a list of watershed sites should be finalised on merit.

Deputy Commissioner V.B. Patil also criticised the officials of the Watershed Department, who, he said, was not attending review meetings with adequate information.

Ms. Prasad expressed dissatisfaction over the condition of roads and inadequate water supply in the city and directed municipal Commissioner L. Sonne Gowda to ensure that roadwork was completed in 15 days.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail