Mangaluru: The Zilla Panchayat (ZP) members of the Dakshina Kannada District, took the officials of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) to task for not completing the drinking water projects on Saturday, November 24.

The members also urged that the KRIDL be put on the black-list. The issue was raised during the 14th general meeting of the DK Zilla Panchayath at their office. Though the KRIDL officials claimed that 80 drinking water units were completed and that the 22 remaining units will be completed soon, many ZP members such as Manjula Madhava Mave, M S Mohammed, Mamatha Gatti and others claimed that the officials were furnishing a false report. Not a single project has been completed and the KRIDL has not handed over any projects to any Gram Panchayat so far, they informed.

When ZP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Selwamani asked the KRIDL officials if any drinking water units were handed over to any Gram Panchayat, they admitted that so far, no units were handed over to the Panchayats.

ZP member Mamatha Gatti opined that the KRIDL should be put on the black-list to ensure that no government work will be given to them in the future. In response, Selwamani said that he will send a report about the pending projects, which were undertaken by the KRIDL, to the government.

No RTC, no toilet

The issue of the absence of toilets in many homes was also discussed in the meeting. Member Koragappa Naik informed that some families, that were identified in the 2004 survey, still did not have toilets and expressed his surprise that the DK district secured an award under the Swaccha Bharat Mission.

In response, Selwamani said, “If a family doesn’t have RTC, it is difficult to provide toilet facilities to them. Hence, we have written a letter to the government to allow such families to apply for toilets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.”

Prior to the meeting, several Gram Panchayats, including Kallamundkuru in Mangaluru, Kanakamajalu in Sullia, Nooji Balthila in Puttur and others were presented certificates for excelling in creating awareness on cleanliness and maintaining toilets in their respective villages, under Swaccha Bharat Mission.

Zilla Panchayat President Meenakshi Shanthigodu, Vice President Kasthuri Panja, standing committee presidents such as Janardhana Gowda, U P Ibrahim and Anith were present.