Perhaps, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) minister H.K. Patil is the only minister in Karnataka who has taken many bold initiatives in his department. Besides a mission to implement the ambitious project to provide pure drinking water to more than a crore households and open defecation free villages by providing toilets to rural masses, Mr Patil has brought in transparency with even his notings on files uploaded on the website.
In spite of his efforts, the department was in the news for the wrong reasons. The controversies have made the opposition BJP question his clean image. Interestingly, it was Mr Patil who unearthed some of the misdeeds in the department and initiated corrective measures. During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, he went to the extent of saying that anyone questioning his integrity was opposed to reforms. Here are excerpts.
Why has the Governor returned the RDPR University Ordinance?
The Governor sent back the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University, seeking clarifications. I met him and clarified the issues. I informed the Governor about the urgency to approve the ordinance. He has sought more information, we will incorporate this and resubmit the ordinance to him.
You categorically said you will resign if you failed to establish 7000 pure drinking water units by March 31, 2016. Since you have failed to reach the target, the Opposition is demanding your resignation. You have given a weapon to the opposition to target you?
Our government had planned 1,000 units in 2013-14, 2,000 in 2014-15 and 4,000 in 2015-16. I am aware of this commitment, our department officials are in action, installation of purified water units is going on. I agree that I did not reach my target. I will not blame anyone for the slow progress of the scheme. (pauses.) You have to appreciate me for taking up such a massive project, not pick holes.
How many drinking water units have actually been commissioned so far?
(Looked embarrassed) No need to ask such a question, I am working to change the set-up, please try to understand our efforts to change the system. We have hosted all information on our official website about progress of the project.
After a scam surfaced over the installation of 146 water testing laboratories in taluk headquarters, the Opposition pointed fingers at your clean image.
Awarding the tender for the water testing units with a project cost of Rs 190 crore did not come to my notice. I have not approved the tender, our officials a made mistake. Soon after it came to my notice, I ordered a CID probe. Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar said that if H.K. Patil failed to cancel the tender, then one would suspect his integrity. I cancelled the tender and have ordered a probe.
What is the status of 80 water testing laboratories whose tenders were not scrapped?
To cancel this tender, I have sought legal opinion. Once I get the report, I will take action.
Who is Prasad Raypati? Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar said Raypati is close friend of your, is it true?
(Looks irritated). It is you who are saying this. Mr. Shettar never said this. You ask Mr Shettar whether Mr Raypati is close to him or me?
In this case, tender violation took place even after you ordered a departmental probe. Does it not show you have lost control over the department?
Yes, it is wrong that even after ordering an internal probe, tender rules have been violated. So I ordered suspension of officials involved. If one or two officials are involved, does it prove I have lost control? If I did not do anything even after the scam, one can say I have lost control over the department.
In 2011-12, to install a 500 litre drinking water unit, the tender was quoted to Rs. 2.89 lakh, but now, it was quoted at Rs 13.33 lakh. Is there an anomaly?
When were pure drinking water units installed in 2011-12? Defluoridation units are different from pure drinking water units, the rates are different for different types. In fact, in 2013-14 we have not installed a single 500 litre capacity unit, at that time we installed 2000 litre capacity units. With political intentions such allegations were made against me. Because of the quality of drinking water, no health problem was reported in one year. No village has complained of cholera and dehydration.
Why have 40 files gone missing and why was Rs 500 crore not spent by parking it in a dummy account when we have an efficient minister at the helm of affairs?
It was I who found that money was kept in a dummy account and transferred it to the treasury. We have taken action against the culprits and are initiating criminal action. Regarding the missing files, I have asked the Additional Chief Secretary to probe the matter.
You promised to make the state open defecation free in a year. When we are facing a severe drinking water problem, how can you ensure water to toilets?
I do not agree with the view that people are not getting water for use in toilets. We have constructed 25 lakh toilets, 7 districts are going to be open defecation free soon. You are insulting rural people by asking such questions.
You are doing a good job but your subordinates are involved in scams. Hasn't this dented your image?
Should I stop working? Whenever cases came before me, I took prompt action. I am not new to politics, I have been in public life for 30 years. You seem to have a negative mindset about me, not the public.
The amendment to Panchayat Raj Act has failed to meet expectations as rich politicians have attained power in ZPs, TPs
It is wrong to say this. People from neglected sections are becoming presidents and vice presidents of ZPs and TPs. Isn’t it a revolution?
