Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P.I. Sreevidya asked gram panchayats to remove silt from ponds and create groundwater recharging points in the district, on a priority basis.
During a monthly meeting to review development programmes on Wednesday, Ms. Sreevidya said that rejuvenation of public ponds and creation of groundwater recharge centres were among the works taken up under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
“These works should be taken on priority basis. These works should be completed before it starts raining,” Ms. Sreevidya said and asked executive officers of taluk panchayats to ensure early completion of works. Ms. Sreevidya said that the district was doing well in providing work under the MNREGA and utilising the funds that was available. “We must ensure that this good work continues this year too.”
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She said the district utilised Rs. 21.70 crore between April, 2015, and March, 2016, and Rs. 5.6 crore in the last two months.
Zilla Panchayat vice-president Kasturi Panja said that private water supply agencies were charging in excess of Rs. 3,000 to supply water from tankers.
President Meenakshi Shantigodu said that she received complaints from Puttur of drivers of water tankers deputed by panchayats collecting money from residents after supplying water.
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Ms. Sreevidya directed officials to ensure water was supplied free of cost by panchayats to residents. Strict action should be taken against tanker operators who were collecting money from residents, she said.
Executive officers of taluk panchayats have been asked to ensure completion of works