Eshwar Khandre holds review meeting in Shivamogga, asks officers to address drinking water problems without delay

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre chairing a review meeting in Shivamogga on Sunday.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Eshwar Khandre, who held a review meeting here on Sunday, instructed officials to respond without delay to problems related to drinking water supply in rural areas.

He also asked them to take proper measures to address issues in the coming summer.

Mr. Khandre suggested that officers drill borewells wherever necessary to ensure drinking water supply. If required, they should hire private borewells to augment the supply or supply water through tankers.

He insisted that the administration ensure tanker owners are paid regularly.

The Minister said that the deputy secretaries of zilla panchayats should visit villages two days a week to understand problems first-hand and submit reports regularly to the Chief Executive Officers.

MLA for Bhadravathi B.K. Sangameshwara brought to the Minister’s notice the drinking water problems faced by the people of Tolamaghatta Gram Panchayat in his constituency. The Minister took the Panchayat Development Officer and the engineers concerned to task.

He told them to address the problem and restore water supply within 24 hours, warning that failure to act would invite disciplinary action.

When the officials pointed out that drinking water projects were facing objections from the Forest Department, the Minister said he would convene a meeting with senior Forest Department officers in Bengaluru to resolve the issue.

Legisaltors Sharada Puryanaik, Balkhees Banu, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Commissioner Y.S. Patil, Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rishi Anand and others were present at the meeting.