Eshwar Khandre holds review meeting in Shivamogga, asks officers to address drinking water problems without delay

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Eshwar Khandre, convened a review meeting in Shivamogga on Sunday to address pressing issues related to drinking water supply in rural areas. During the meeting, Khandre directed officials to promptly tackle drinking water problems without delay and implement measures to ensure adequate water supply during the upcoming summer season.

Khandre suggested that officials drill borewells wherever necessary to augment the drinking water supply and, if needed, hire private borewells or supply water through tankers. He emphasized the importance of timely payments to tanker owners to maintain a steady water supply.

The minister instructed deputy secretaries of zilla panchayats to visit villages twice a week to personally understand the issues faced by the people and submit regular reports to the Chief Executive Officers. In a specific case concerning Bhadravathi's Tolamaghatta Gram Panchayat, Khandre held accountable the Panchayat Development Officer and engineers, ordering them to restore water supply within 24 hours or face disciplinary action.

Khandre also acknowledged challenges posed by the Forest Department regarding drinking water projects and promised to convene a meeting with senior Forest Department officials in Bengaluru to resolve the issue. Representatives from the legislative assembly, including Sharada Puryanaik, Balkhees Banu, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Commissioner Y.S. Patil, and the Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rishi Anand, attended the review meeting.