Mangaluru: It’s been two years since the construction work of veterinary hospital at Vittal in Bantwal taluk was stalled and no measures have been taken to speed up the process so far. Though this project was undertaken at a cost of Rs 19.80 Lakh around six years ago, it has not been completed till the date. Another veterinary institution which is to come up at Dharmastala at a cost of Rs 27.90 Lakh is also pending from two years.
Though the construction work is pending since years, veterinary activities have been not hampered in both the centres. However, the employees at the veterinary hospital are forced to work in the old building with a limited infrastructure. According to the guidelines, any construction work of the government should be completed within 24 months, once it is handed over to a contract company. Ironically, the construction work of both the centres was handed over to the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) and the officials failed to meet the deadline.
KRIDL has also undertaken the work of veterinary centres at Kakkepadavu, Neerude, Kotekar, Mani, Vamadapadavu and Mandekolu in Sullia taluk. Though the work is almost completed in these areas, some minor things are still pending. Hence, KRIDL has not handed over these buildings to the veterinary department so far. An official, attached to the Department of Animal Husbandry, on a condition of anonymity, said that there was no proper space to keep the medicines and other equipment at the old buildings.
Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. Mohan says that though there is an acute shortage of staff, they are managing routine work with the existing staff. “Though our routine work will not be affected owing to the lack of infrastructure, it is the duty of the government to finish the work within deadline. We have informed our higher officials about the delay in the construction of veterinary institutions. However, the work still remains pending”, he says.
Meeting to be convened soon: U T Khader
Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister and State Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader told Newskarnataka that he would convene a review meeting shortly in order to check the status of the development works including the veterinary department. “There are several complaints with regard to the slow work of KRIDL. I will strictly instruct the officers concerned to take immediate measures to complete the pending work and hand the building over to the veterinary department”, he said.
