Corrupt officials cause Rs 35 lakh loss

Cross bunds washed away within 20 days of construction Kakinada: District Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad formulated a special plan that would ensure water to crops during the Rabi season and keep the farmers happy. As part of this, cross bunds are being set up on drains and the water is diverted to the crops. Thousands of acres of crops will be irrigated during the Rabi season because of the cross bunds. However, lakhs of rupees were being misused because of the corruption in construction of the cross bunds. The farmers are left in misery. Two cross bunds were constructed on the Thulyabhag drain near Pothuru of Karapa mandal and G Vemavaram of Thallarevu mandal some 20 days ago. Another two cross bunds were constructed on Rajiv drain in Khajuluru mandal and irrigation water was being supplied. For all this Rs 35 lakh were spent. However, the cross bund that was constructed near G Vemavaram collapsed twice within these 10 days. The bund that was built on Rajiv drain was washed out. Even the Kothur cross bund was washed away. This amounted to a loss of Rs 35 lakh. Also the Rabi crop is not being irrigated. With the crops drying up the farmers are in tears. Even though the Collector has sanctioned funds and gave permission for the cross bunds to be constructed on a war-footing basis, the purpose was not served because of the corruption of the drainage officials. Even though it is 10 days since the cross bunds were washed away, no one has bothered to repair them. On this occasion, drainage DEM Revathi and JE Mangeshwar Rao admitted that the cross bunds were washed away. But there were no funds to repair them, they said.A Some owners of fishing lakes were destroying the bunds and this has come to their notice. This is being investigated, Mr Rao said.