The Hindu                04.06.2013

Clearing of encroachments on lake-beds to start in a week

Of the 171 lakes coming under zilla panchayat, 111 have been encroached upon.

Deputy Commissioner A.M. Kunjappa has said that as per the direction of the State government, the survey and removal of encroachments on lake and tank-beds in the district would start in a week.

Chairing a review meeting here on Monday, he said that the decision was taken to ensure proper upkeep of the lakes and tanks under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department and the Bagalkot Zilla Panchayat.

A team, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, comprising officials of the city municipal council, local bodies, zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Forest Officer and Superintendent of Police would be constituted for the purpose.

The Deputy Commissioner said that a large part of Muchakhandi lake-bed in the city had been encroached upon.

A proposal to clear encroachments on the lake-bed and develop it, at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, had been submitted to the government, he said.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, 111 of the 171 lakes coming under the zilla panchayat limits had been encroached upon.

It was up to the officials to resolve the issue without succumbing to any pressure, he said. Mr. Kunjappa also expressed dissatisfaction over “the improper implementation of MNREGA”, adding that the scheme had only shown progress in February and March.

Zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer S.G. Patil, who was also present at the meeting, said that a probe would be conducted in all gram panchayats where works exceeding Rs. 50 lakh had been taken up.

During the meeting, issues related to drinking water, sanitation, agriculture and control of dengue were also discussed.