Mangaluru: Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader Thursday directed officials to provide electricity connections to drinking water projects without delay, citing disruptions to water supply in several areas.Chairing a meeting on drought management and monsoon preparedness in Ullal taluk at Praja Soudha, Khader said that in many places tanks had been constructed and borewells drilled, but delays in electricity connections were affecting drinking water supply.He noted that the govt has already instructed officials to provide electricity connections without waiting for the deposit amount. The amount can later be adjusted once grants are released to the gram panchayats, he said.Khader stressed that drinking water schemes should be implemented after understanding local issues and ensuring they meet the region’s requirements. “The projects should be capable of meeting drinking water demands for the next 30 years. If required, efforts will be made to secure special grants,” he added.He said funds were being released as required for drinking water management. If water supply via pipelines is not possible, water should be supplied by tanker. Along with gram panchayat funds, financial support would also be provided through the task force, he said.Monsoon preparednessOn preparations for the upcoming monsoon, Khader directed officials to identify areas where smooth water flow could be obstructed and take preventive measures in advance. He instructed authorities to desilt all drains and remain alert in areas that witnessed natural calamities last year.“If disasters occur, local officials must immediately visit the affected areas,” he said.ZP CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari said an additional grant of Rs 1 crore had been released in the district for drought management and drinking water supply. About Rs 12 lakh had been allocated for each assembly constituency, he added.MUDA chairman Sadashiva and assistant commissioner Meenakshi Arya were present at the meeting.
