Dy CM livid over slow pace of irrigation works

Warangal: The officials of Irrigation Department came under fire for alleged laxity during a review meeting on the progress of Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha works in erstwhile Warangal district.

The Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari who chaired the meeting held here on Friday and Palakurthy MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao have expressed serious displeasure at the officials for failing to prepare estimates, review progress and clear the bills related to the works executed.

“Despite his busy schedule the Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao monitors the progress of ongoing projects. Even during the Assembly sessions, he reviews Kaleshwaram project works using his smart phone but you (officials) working with him acting negligently” Srihari said.

The Deputy Chief Minister advised the officials to emulate the Minister and make use of technology to expedite the works. He sought to know whether department was any rehabilitation centre and asked higher officials to surrender the engineers to fail to speed up the works.

He found fault with the AEs, DEs and EEs for lacking information about the location of the tanks being renovated under Mission Kakatiya and directed the District Collectors to monitor the works on regular basis. “If your work is good you will get limelight postings in future’, he told the Collectors. 

The MLA Dayakar Rao complained that despite several reminders the Irrigation officials were not preparing estimates related to check dams, not monitoring Mission Kakatiya works and taking months to clear the files.  

“Taking initiative, I have been forcing the contractors to complete the works in a speedy manner but the officials concerned are not clearing the bills even though there is no shortage of funds, such an attitude has been damaging Warangal reputation” the MLA said.

Nevertheless, the Deputy Chief Minister and MLA have told the officials that they don’t have grudge against them but were troubled at the slow pace works adding that if the officials’ laxity would impact the public. He asked officials to bring their problems to his notice while assuring to address them.

Further, Srihari asked officials to ensure bulk supply of drinking water to all the villages in the erstwhile Warangal district by April 15 under Mission Bhagiratha. Intra village works should be completed by June 30 in the district and by July 31 under GWMC limits and Bhupalpally. Erstwhile Warangal district should be the first one to receive water in the State this summer, he added. 

Tribal Welfare Minister A Chandulal, ZP Chairperson G Padma, MLA D Vinay Bhasker, MLCs Srinivas Reddy and B Venkateshwaralu, District officials Warangal Rural, Mahabubabad, Jangaon and Jayashankar Bhupalapalli and Warangal Urban, irrigation officials from all the districts were present.