The Hindu : Karnataka News : Interference stalls drinking water supply project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Interference stalls drinking water supply project

Staff Correspondent

Congress has accused BJP supporters of obstructing work

Proposed work approved in ZP action plan
70 families in
SC Colony deprived
of water

BELLARY: A mini drinking water supply scheme, proposed for the Scheduled Caste Colony in Ankasamudra village in Hagari Bommanahalli taluk, is languishing due to obstructions from the supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party as alleged by the Congress.

As a result, 70 Scheduled Caste families in that colony are forced to fetch drinking water from the fields and borewells.

The proposed work was approved in the action plan of the Bellary Zilla Panchayat and Rs. 2.5 lakh was also released for 2006-07. A pipeline had to be laid for a distance of around a kilometre to supply drinking water from the borewell to the colony and a mini tank had to be constructed.

Accordingly, work had also begun. When the trench to lay the pipeline was being dug, the supporters of the BJP allegedly obstructed the works and reportedly wanted the officials concerned to redo the entire work on the other side of the road.

Akki Thotesh, member of the zilla panchayat representing the Congress, has taken objection to the manner in which the BJP supporters were obstructing a drinking water supply project.

“I am at a loss to understand why there should be any objections to the project. The zilla panchayat has approved the work and has also released funds. Moreover, the work is being executed by the officials of the zilla panchayat Engineering Department and half of it has been completed. Then why should anybody object to it?,” he asked.

It is said that the grouse of the BJP supporters was that if the work was executed then the credit would not go to the BJP MLA (Anil Lad).

They have been forcing the officials concerned to dig the trench on the other side of the road and complete the work.

Recently the people, led by Mr. Akki Thotesh, staged a demonstration and also submitted a memorandum to M.P. Prakash, Home Minister, to initiate action against all those obstructing the work.

They also urged him to instruct the officials to complete the work expeditiously.

Mr. Akki Thotesh told The Hindu that he would draw the attention of the general body meeting, which is scheduled on July 31, and urge the house to not only view the issue seriously but also ensure that the work was completed early.

Incidentally, the zilla panchayat administration is controlled by the BJP.

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