The Hindu 20.10.2010
Encroachments over drain in Karwar cleared
Correspondent
Officials go ahead despite resistance from a few merchants
Karwar: Acting upon the Lokayukta's orders, Haliyal Town Panchayat officials cleared the encroachment over a drain here on Tuesday, allowing easy flow of water.
While a few merchants tried to resist the move, the officials managed to clear the illegal constructions without yielding to their pressure.
On October 2, 2009, resident Govind Nagesh Teli had filled a complaint with the Lokayukta alleging that some influential merchants in the town had encroached upon the drain and illegally built structures over it.
He requested the Lokayukta to clear the encroachment and rebuild the drain. The Lokayukta officials visited the town on October 8, 2010 and inspected the area and found that the drainage area was encroached.
An ultimatum was issued to the town panchayat officials to clear the encroachment or face the disciplinary action. Speaking to the media, M. Ramesh, Chief Executive Officer of Haliyal Taluk Panchayat said that a project to rebuild the drainage was ready and would be presented in the next taluk panchayat meeting.
