Can a works worth Rs. 340.8 crore be completed within two to three months? This question led to heated argument between the Ruling and Opposition parties in the Legislative Council here on Wednesday.
Posing a sub-question on the reply to his question on the amount spent on modernisation of canals in the State, BJP member V. Somanna said Rs. 340.8 crore had been spent on modernisation of the Tungabhadra canals and sought to know if it was possible to complete such works within two to three months.
He said of the total of Rs. 479.14 spent on modernisation of irrigation canals during 2013–14, Rs. 340.8 crore was spent on upgrading the Tungabhadra canals.
Mr. Somanna wanted to know who had cleared the bills and if there was any third party inspection of the works. He even sought an inquiry into the works.
The Floor Leader contended that as the modernisation works were to be taken up during the “closure period” of the canals, such works were taken up on a war-footing. The works were inspected by third party. Similar works worth over Rs. 300 crore were taken up during 2009–10 and 2010–11.
