The efforts of the villagers, who are opposing works under Mallannasagar, to reach out to the district Collector D. Krishna Bhaskar turned out to be futile and they had to return disappointed after spending hours waiting for him.
About 100 oustees from four villages — Etigaddakishtapur, Toguta, Rampur and Lakshmapur — have been alleging for the past few weeks that works under Mallannasagar are progressing despite the High Court directions and they must be stopped immediately.
Last Monday, some women met Collector D. Krishna Bhaskar and submitted a memorandum explaining him about the violation of court orders, stating that it would be contempt of court and hence the works must be stopped immediately.
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They returned hoping that the works would be stopped, following an assurance from the Collector and also told the media the same.
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Five days have passed and again on Saturday some of the oustees from Etigaddakishtapur met the Collector and submitted another memorandum, raising the same objections. This time, they were led by District Congress Committee (DCC) president T. Narsa Reddy. Again the same assurance by the Collector, but nothing transpired, allege the oustees. The Collector reportedly informed them that the contractor was asked to stop the works immediately. Mr. Krishna Bhaskar asked them to meet him again on Monday if any works take place on Sunday
On Monday again, the oustees visited the Colletorate with the same complaint. “None of the senior officials were available and we waited there from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The women even skipped lunch fearing they might miss the Collector if they went for lunch. They were supplied with bananas till evening.
“When we met an officer, he said that the issue is beyond his jurisdiction and he was helpless. Whom should we meet other than the Collector?” asked S. Ashok, who was part of a delegation from Etigaddakishtapur.