It is highly likely that the district administration is providing “false information” to the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the implementation of various Central and State schemes, proceedings of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) on Wednesday revealed.
The quarterly meeting mandated by the Ministry of Rural Development to discuss performance of Central schemes in the State not only exposed the dismal show of schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyothi Yojana and Integrated Power Development Scheme, but also misinformation by district officials on Mission Bhagiratha.
Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhender Reddy, who is also DISHA chairman, discussing the Comprehensive Protected Water Supply Scheme (CPWS) touched upon the work status of Mission Bhagiratha, the State’s prestigious drinking water grid scheme. According to documented information, of the total 1,492 water tanks for Nalgonda, 1,257 (84%) were “under various stages” progress. Pipeline was laid only for 230 km (12%) of the total 2,766 km and only 12,632 (25%) of the houses of the total 3, 26,609 (25%) were connected.
Negligence of officials
“The Collector believes that 85% work is completed, the CMO assumes the same. But in truth, less than 10% is complete,” Mr. Sukhender Reddy fumed.
Further, it was revealed that a tractor which fell into the canal in Padamati tanda, killing nine women, was due to the negligence of officials, who delayed Mission Bhagiratha work on the narrow path. Devarakonda MLA R. Ravindra Kumar Naik too reacted strongly when officials said pipeline was being laid across 57 km in the constituency.
The meeting also revealed that out of 40 sanctioned distributory transformers, none were installed, while only 200 non-loanee farmers were registered under the Fasal Bima Yojana in the district. The poor rural electricity connectivity also drew criticism.
Collector advised
District Collector and DISHA convenor Gaurav Uppal, who stood in defence of officials, was advised by Mr. Sukhender Reddy to coordinate better and monitor schemes on ground vis-a-vis on paper.
“Involve the Mandal Praja Parishads in field planning and execution, and take the work seriously to defend yourself,” Mr. Uppal told the official gathering.
