Hyderabad: The prevailing heat wave conditions in TS adversely affected Mission Kakatiya works, as public representatives and officials are forced to avoid taking up lake restoration works due to the scorching temperatures.Though only a month is left for monsoon to set in, not even 50 per cent of the tanks have been covered so far in Phase-II.
Added to this, contractor-official nexus in the Mission Kakatiya works is leading to large-scale corruption and substandard works, defeating the very purpose of the scheme. The government set up a helpline number (040-23472233) last week to enable people and all stakeholders give feedback, suggestions and lodge complaints if any, on Mission Kakatiya works.
The number has up till now received nearly 200 calls, of which nearly half are related to irregularities in taking up works while the rest pertain to delay in commencement of works and sub-standard works.
“We are noting all the suggestions and complaints given by the stakeholders. Teams are being sent to the spot to ascertain facts. If irregularities and corruption are proven, we will blacklist the guilty contractors besides initiating action against the officials,” said irrigation minister T. Harish Rao.
He added, “Unfortunately, the enthusiasm shown by public representatives like MLAs and officials during the Phase-I last year is missing this time. They are not seen engaged in these works in many constituencies. The prevailing heat wave conditions could be the reason.”
Mr Rao said that Khammam fared better with works launched in 600 lakes of the 750 lake tenders that were finalised. “In the remaining districts, not even 50 per cent of the works has been covered so far,” he said.
However, the situation has improved during the last three days after the minister personally took up the issue with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who directed district ministers, party MLAs, MLCs and other leaders to confine themselves to their local areas and ensure speedy progress of Mission Kakatiya works.
Following this, all the ministers and MLAs are touring their districts and launching Mission Kakatiya works since April 21. Irrigation principal secretary S.K. Joshi on Saturday held a video conference with officials to review the progress of works.
“This is the last and final warning for officials and contractors. They have to face severe consequences if they fail to meet the deadlines. Engineers who are not staying in their district headquarters and attending to works will be suspended,” Mr Joshi warned.
Mission Kakatiya was initiated last year to revive 45,000 tanks and minor irrigation sources in five years by taking up nearly 9,000 tanks every year. Last year, 9,306 tanks were taken up but works were finished only in 8,034. This year, of the 9,500 tanks were taken up, not even 50 per cent have been covered so far.
