Y. Devendrappa, presiding over a DISHA meeting at the Zilla Panchayat conference hall, emphasized the need for officials to ensure that completed projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission are brought into operational status.
Addressing concerns about people falling ill due to contaminated water consumption, Y. Devendrappa, the Member of Parliament representing Ballari Lok Sabha, has instructed officials to prioritize the implementation of multi-village drinking water supply schemes. These schemes aim to provide safe drinking water to rural communities.
Devendrappa expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a government initiative aimed at delivering safe tap water to every rural household. He pointed out that in many areas, projects undertaken as part of the Mission have become non-functional after completion. He urged higher-ranking officials to form a committee to assess and restart such projects. Furthermore, Devendrappa highlighted the issue of malfunctioning reverse osmosis plants in various places, urging officials to address this matter urgently.
These remarks were made during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held at the Nazir Sab Conference Hall in Ballari Zilla Panchayat.
Devendrappa also noted the growing demand for garments, particularly jeans, manufactured in Ballari. He encouraged the Skill Development Department to organize training programs for unemployed women in jeans stitching. He believes that such initiatives will not only generate employment opportunities but also boost the garment sector.
Regarding complaints about sanctioned housing projects facing various obstacles, Devendrappa called upon officials to identify and resolve issues promptly to ensure that no beneficiary is denied their right to government-provided housing. He suggested providing notice to beneficiaries and assisting them in completing their housing projects within the specified timeframe.
When Koppal Lok Sabha member Karadi Sanganna inquired about the progress of national highway development projects in Ballari-Hosapete and Ballari-Siruguppa, National Highway Authority officers were unable to provide information. Sanganna emphasized the need for higher-level officials from the National Highway Authority of India to attend DISHA meetings and be more informed about the projects.
During the meeting, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) special officer P.S. Manjunath reported that six action plans had been formulated to utilize funds from the foundation in the district. A total of 1,406 projects with a cost of ₹1,593.68 crore had been initiated, with 989 completed, 169 in progress, 77 ready for tender after administrative approvals, 108 in the tendering process, and 63 canceled. Of the allocated ₹1,593.68 crore, ₹597.91 crore had been disbursed. Sanganna inquired about the canceled projects, and Manjunath stated that the matter would be discussed in the upcoming DMF Governing Council meeting convened by the district in-charge Minister.
The meeting was attended by Member of Legislative Council M.Y. Sathish, Ballari Mayor D. Triveni, Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, and other officials.