News Flash
March 13
Rural Water Crisis: Zilla Panchayat CEO Urges Immediate Action
Chitradurga: Drinking water supply should be the first priority for the villages facing severe problems," said S.J. Somashekhar, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, while addressing a meeting organized in the hall of the Zilla Panchayat office on Wednesday.
Somashekhar stressed that ensuring access to clean drinking water should be the foremost concern for Gram Panchayat PDOs. Due to insufficient rainfall and the onset of summer, 56 villages across 27 gram panchayats are grappling with water scarcity issues. Among these, 27 villages are severely affected, with drinking water being supplied to 33 villages via tankers.
To address the crisis, efforts are underway to identify private borewells in 24 villages, rent them, and supply water to the communities. It is imperative for PDOs to closely monitor water supply and ensure its quality. In cases where existing borewells fail, rehabilitation or the hiring of private borewells should be promptly arranged.
Somashekhar stressed the Gram Panchayats' role in ensuring rural water supply. Complaints must be addressed promptly, with 24/7 helplines at Zilla and Taluk Panchayat offices for assistance. Officials must act swiftly to resolve issues, warning the CEO of potential consequences.
The newly launched helpline numbers are as follows:
- Zilla Panchayat Office: 08194-200040
- Department of Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation, Chitradurga: 08194-200041
- Taluk Panchayat Chitradurga: 08194-230232
- Challakere: 8792228043
- Hiriyur: 9480861112
- Holalkere: 9538812986
- Hosdurga: 08199-295024
- Molakalmuru: 08198-229122
People in rural areas should use these helplines to report water issues. The meeting included officials like Thimmappa, Deputy Secretary of Zilla Panchayat, and Basavanagowda Patil, Executive Engineer of the Drinking Water and others.