Karkala: “As summer is approaching use limited water and do not waste it. Drinking water provided by the muncipality must not be used for other purposes. Action will be taken as per law if the water is used for construction or other similar purpose.”
This caution was delivered by Municipal president Rehmath S Shiekh and Chief Officer of Town Municipal Council Rayappa at a recent press meet. But it remains a mere statement as illegal water supply continues in the town.
It is alleged that for many ongoing construction works in the town, the municipality water has been misused. Contractors and municipal members are directly involved in this racket. The issue was discussed several times in the municipal general meetings, but with little to show in terms of results. No action was taken against it by the authorities.
Water has been diverted for construction purposes through illegal pipe connections. No action or fine has been imposed against it even though it is illegal. In Karkala town limits, many drainage works are under process. Drinking water meant for the area has been used for Pervaje road and Sadananda Kamath road drainage works. They tap into 10,000 ltrs of water provided by civic bodies through illegal connections everyday. However the authorities are apparently unaware of this. It has also raised questions regarding the quality of the ongoing works.
The supply of water to the area has seen a sharp drop. Thus locals of Kalikamba Nagar, Kallotte, Banglegudde and Jarigudde area are complaining of scarcity of water. They had even requested civic authorities to look into it.
When media persons visited the spot after learning about illegal water supply connections in Pervaje and Sadananda Kamath road, they were threatened not to take photographs without permission by few associates of the contractor.
Members lambast President, councillor
Enraged members of the civic body, lambasted the Chief Officer of Town Municipal Council Rayappa against the issue here on Monday. Rahmath Sheikh, Councillors Subhith N R, Akshay Kumar, Subhadha Rao, Vivekananda Shenoy, Shanthi Shetty, Naveen Devadiga, Sunil Kotyan were present.
Rs 20,000 fine to be collected from contractor
The Chief officer of the the Town Municipal Council said, “It has come to our notice that drinking water has been used for Pervaje and Sadananda Kamath drainage works against the rules of Municipal council. The illegal pipe connections will be cut and we will collect a fine of Rs 20,000. Action will be taken on cancelling the license of plumber.”
Water has been supplied from Ramasamudra Tank to tank built near Taluk office Junction. And the main pipeline is called as Express Line. At any cost drinking water should not be used for any other purpose. Officials who allowed this illegal business were acting against municipal law and the interests of the locals, added Ashfaq Ahammad, senior councilor of Karkala muncipality.
