MLC urges government to expedite Jal Jeevan Mission works

Member of Karnataka Legislative Council Kishor Kumar Puttur, on January 13, urged the State government to take immediate corrective and policy-level action on multiple issues concerning rural governance and public welfare, including delays in Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works, the need for a new Solid Waste Management facility and the revision of outdated financial guidelines governing Gram Panchayat funds.

A reply to an unstarred question raised during the recent Belagavi legislature session revealed that under JJM, drinking water works were completed in 230 Gram Panchayats in Dakshina Kannada and 155 in Udupi, with pending works in 42 and 39 Panchayats, respectively.

Launched five years ago, the slow execution is denying thousands of rural households an assured drinking water connection, the MLC said in a statement.

Mr. Puttur submitted a memorandum to D. Randeep, Secretary to the Government, Panchayat Raj Department, urging the authorities to complete pending works within a fixed timeline.

Demand for new MRF

The MLC further highlighted the strain on the existing Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Kedambadi in Puttur taluk, which processes dry waste from 68 GPs in Puttur, Sullia and Kadaba taluks.

With a capacity to process seven tonnes a day, the facility is operating beyond its limits. Mr. Puttur strongly advocated for a new 10-tonne MRF in Amaramudnoor, Sullia Taluk, under the K-SHORE scheme. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) with an estimated cost of ₹595 lakh has already been prepared, he said and urged the government to approve the project.

Mr. Puttur also urged the government to expedite the release of funds under the 15th Finance Commission to GPs, stating that delays in fund disbursement have stalled several rural development works and weakened service delivery at the Panchayat level.