Mysuru: The non-official Member of Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) Dr. K.M. Jayaramaiah has demanded that for the all-round development of tanks in the State, role of the KTDCA is primary. Hence any work taken up by any department should first be brought to its notice and similarly, in the coming Budget, more funds earmarked for the Authority.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddharamaiah dated Jan.23, Dr. Jayaramaiah has stated that the surrounding areas of the pond, tank bunds and tubewells, all come under irrigated regions. In case if any department wants to start the work related to the ponds, it should first compulsorily bring it to the notice of KTDCA.

“The reason is because the development of the ponds and lakes should happen according to the requirements. But what we have noticed is that many a times the work on development of the ponds have been taken up even though it is not required and thus the money is wasted on such projects,” he has stated.

He has pointed out that Jala Samvardhane Yojana Sangha (JSYS) is already merged into KTDCA in October 2017 and even the Lake Development Authority (LDA) will be merged shortly, thus enabling the KTDCA to take up the development works of all the ponds in the State.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. Jayaramaiah, who is also the Convenor of Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee, said, “If we take the example of Lingambudhi Lake, it comes under the Forest Department. Now, there is a problem here of drainage water in the lake due to faulty valve system.

When we bring it to the notice of the Department, they keep giving excuses that they will set it right. But they do not have any idea about it as their job is to plant trees. Hence, this lake should be brought under KTDCA for maintenance.”

According to Dr. Jayaramaiah, he had brought all these issues to the notice of the KTDCA Chairman T.B. Jayachandra (Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Animal Husbandry and Muzrai) at a meeting held on Jan.12 in Bengaluru. He briefed him saying that if farm ponds (Krishi Hondas) are under Agriculture Department it would be alright, but not other tanks and lakes, which come under Departments like Rural Development, Forest, Bengaluru Development Authority, Mysuru Urban Development Authority, Bangalore Bruhat Mahanagara Palike and various other Departments, as they do not have expertise in maintaining the tanks.

“I told Chairman Jayachandra that there are many instances where bills have been submitted and money withdrawn for such works without anything happening,” he said.

In another letter dated Jan.24 to the Chief Minister, he has urged him to direct the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner to create small pits next to the ponds, kalyanis  and gardens, cover it with meshes to conserve rainwater. “This will help recharge groundwater,” he has said.