Puttur: There is no official existence for a number of lakes in the taluk with few registered in private land and the rest under temple management. However, developmental aid in crores goes down the drain as officials are not sure of the number of lakes in the taluk.
According to Zilla Panchayath records, there are 33 lakes in the taluk whereas revenue records show the number as 17. It appears that officials from the government are losing the count during summer as few lakes go dry with the increase in number of bore wells. The revenue department which gave the count as 17 in response to an RTI query on August 18, 2014 later changed the number to “Zero” in July 2015 there by adding more to the prevailing confusion on the number of lakes that exist in taluk.
Rs 5 Crore lake development fund goes down the drain?
The BJP government led by Yeddyurappa had sanctioned Rs 5 Crore towards lake development for each Assembly constituency but the locals allege total misuse of funds with only 10 percent used for the purpose.
Funds were released to the government departments concerned for dredging, construction of retainer walls and repair.
In the year 2011-12, the government had released Rs 3.15 Crore out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 5 Crore towards the development of 11 lakes in rural areas of Puttur Assembly Constituency, out of which two lakes were allotted Rs. 47.65 Lakh. The expenses shown by the department in response to RTI query include Rs 25000 towards pre-inspection/ survey and video recording of lake beds whereas locals allege that the names of the lakes do not even exist.
Significant development works have taken place only in two lake beds of the taluk in the last six months including Nettanige Mudnur and Vittal where amount from MLA Development Fund to the tune of Rs 90 Lakh has been utilised. Proposals are pending before the government on the development of Bannur, Uppinangadi and Ajilady lakes on similar lines.
Rohidas, Assistant Executive Engineer of Puttur Sub Division said, “There are 33 lakes under the purview of Zilla Panchayath for whose development proposals have been sent to government seeking funds and no separate funds will be released for maintenance.”
In reality, only the government officials concerned know the truth on the actual number of lakes and the use of funds with no real development visible on the ground.
