Bylakuppe:  Taluk Panchayat Assistant Director K.M. Raghunath cautioned to take serious  legal action against the people for obstructing the officials while ensuring drinking water to public.

Speaking at the ‘Jamabandi’ (Social audit) meeting for the year 2017-18 held at Haranahalli Gram Panchayat premises in Periyapatna taluk recently, he said that he had received complaints against some people impeding the official’s duty and drawing drinking water illegally from drinking water supply pipes without paying any tax. As per the norms of the government, people should pay water tax to avail drinking water facility.

Earlier, Kesarinakere villagers Virupaksha, Suresh, Kalegowda and Neelamma had sought the officer to take serious action against some people of their village for allegedly attacking a water valveman, obstructing other Panchayat’s officials duty after quarrelling with them.  They accused that they had obtained No Objection Certificate (NOC) and permission for water connection after paying all water tax, but some villagers were obstructing the official’s work and preventing them not to give water connection for them.

K.M. Raghunath said that Haranahalli Panchayat had earned the revenue of Rs.72.87 lakh in the fiscal year 2017-18 and it had spent Rs. 56.12 lakh for various works.

Taluk Social Audit Committee Co-ordinator K.H. Gowrish, who spoke on the occasion, said the Panchayat had spent Rs.18.24 lakh for work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (mgnrega)for the second phase of works in the year 2017-18.  Farmers should make use of the benefits and facilities provided under MGNREGA as government has been releasing sufficient grants under this scheme for their economic and social development.

GP President Sannaiah, Vice – President Yeshodhamma, Panchayat Development Officer S. Shivanna, Gram Panchayat members Yogesh Hadagur, Jayanna, Bill Collector Nanjegowda and others were present.