Jal Shakti team visits Vizianagaram for water project review
The team informed the Collector that they would be visiting the Thotapalli and Tarakarama Teertha Sagar (TTS) projects. They also planned to interact with beneficiaries of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Kota Gandredu village.
During the interaction, Collector Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasized that Vizianagaram is a backward district and urged the team to recommend increased central funding for pending water infrastructure projects.
Explaining the status of the Tarakarama Teertha Sagar project, the Collector said that although proposals worth ₹800 crore had been submitted, only ₹100 crore had been sanctioned so far. He noted that Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) payments were still pending and stressed that the release of the remaining funds was essential to meet the district's developmental goals.
He explained the importance of supplying 5 MLD (Million Litres per Day) of water to the Bhogapuram International Airport, providing drinking water to Vizianagaram Municipality, and ensuring irrigation for 25,000 acres of farmland in the Nellimarla, Gurla, Pusapatirega, and Denkada mandals.
The Collector also highlighted the need for additional funding under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
In response, the visiting officials assured him that the district should submit detailed project estimates and proposals, which would then be forwarded to the Central Government for further recommendation and approval.
Taruna Doliya, Director, Ministry of Commerce; Nikhil Jeff, Deputy Director, Central Water Commission; Dr. D. Anantha Rao, Scientist, Central Ground Water Board; and others met the Collector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Sangli suicide: No dues owed as he was a sub-contractor, says govt
MUMBAI A day after a Sangli-based contractor died by suicide allegedly over pending dues of ₹ 1.40 crore for work related to the state's Jal Jeevan Mission, the government claimed he was a sub-contractor, and not appointed by the government. (Representative photo) (HT) A day after a Sangli-based contractor died by suicide allegedly over pending dues of ₹1.40 crore for work related to the state's Jal Jeevan Mission, the government claimed he was a sub-contractor, and not appointed by the government. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and contractors' body have however termed the death as 'murder, a consequence of mismanagement of the state's finances'. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said, 'The incident is unfortunate, but he was a sub-contractor and the government had no role in paying his fees. There is a process for releasing contractors' bills. We will, however, probe the death.' While minister of water supply and sanitation, Gulabrao Patil, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, concurred with Pawar, officials from the department told HT anonymously that payment of dues amounting to ₹3200 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission was sent to the finance department in June, which responded only a few days ago citing paucity of funds for their inability to release the money. Opposition, assn criticize govt Maharashtra State Contractors' Association expressed displeasure over statements by Pawar and Patil, and shared details with HT about the deceased having completed four schemes for the project in Walwa and two in Shirala tehsils, and was indeed debt ridden. 'It is insensitive to see ministers washing their hands off the incident just because he was a sub-contractor. For the last one year, all contractors and associations have been raising their voice against pending dues. Yet, the government has not held any meeting over the issue related to the state's finances,' said Milind Bhosale, president of the association. Slamming the government, MVA leaders pointed to funds being diverted for populist schemes such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called it 'murder' and sought the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Mr Prime Minister, look at this innocent face. He took his life yesterday. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, he completed works worth ₹1.40 crore, taking a loan of ₹80 lakh. But the government hasn't paid his dues, forcing him to take this extreme step,' Raut posted on X. Taking a dig at Ladki Bahin spends, NCP (SP) chief spokesperson Jitendra Awhad said, 'The scheme is not viable for the government. Thousands of crores were allocated for it, which have affected other government expenditures. I request the chief minister to look into the matter personally.' 'After farmers, now contractors are dying by suicide,' said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. 'This government pays thousands of crores to big contractors but has no sympathy for small players working in each district for government schemes.'
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Sangli suicide: No govt dues, as he was a sub-contractor, says Ajit
MUMBAI: A day after a Sangli-based contractor died by suicide allegedly over pending dues of ₹1.40 crore for work related to the state's Jal Jeevan Mission, the government claimed he was a sub-contractor, and not appointed by the government. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and contractors' body have however termed the death as 'murder, a consequence of mismanagement of the state's finances'. Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and others arrive at the Vidhan Bhavan for the Monsoon session of the state Assembly, in Mumbai, Friday, July 18, 2025. (PTI Photo) (PTI07_18_2025_000243B) (PTI) Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said, 'The incident is unfortunate, but he was a sub-contractor and the government had no role in paying his fees. There is a process for releasing contractors' bills. We will, however, probe the death.' While minister of water supply and sanitation, Gulabrao Patil, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, concurred with Pawar, officials from the department told HT anonymously that payment of dues amounting to ₹3200 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission was sent to the finance department in June, which responded only a few days ago citing paucity of funds for their inability to release the money. Opposition, assn criticize govt Maharashtra State Contractors' Association expressed displeasure over statements by Pawar and Patil, and shared details with HT about the deceased having completed four schemes for the project in Walwa and two in Shirala tehsils, and was indeed debt ridden. 'It is insensitive to see ministers washing their hands off the incident just because he was a sub-contractor. For the last one year, all contractors and associations have been raising their voice against pending dues. Yet, the government has not held any meeting over the issue related to the state's finances,' said Milind Bhosale, president of the association. Slamming the government, MVA leaders pointed to funds being diverted for populist schemes such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called it 'murder' and sought the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Mr Prime Minister, look at this innocent face. He took his life yesterday. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, he completed works worth ₹1.40 crore, taking a loan of ₹80 lakh. But the government hasn't paid his dues, forcing him to take this extreme step,' Raut posted on X. Taking a dig at Ladki Bahin spends, NCP (SP) chief spokesperson Jitendra Awhad said, 'The scheme is not viable for the government. Thousands of crores were allocated for it, which have affected other government expenditures. I request the chief minister to look into the matter personally.' 'After farmers, now contractors are dying by suicide,' said Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. 'This government pays thousands of crores to big contractors but has no sympathy for small players working in each district for government schemes.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Govt denies responsibility in paying Sangli contractor found dead as opposition questions pending payments
Kolhapur: Even as the opposition targeted state govt over the death of a 35-year-old contractor from Sangli, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and minister for rural water supply Gulabrao Patil on Thursday said govt did not give any contract to him and, thus, was not entitled to pay him. Harshal Patil was found dead hanging from a tree on his farm in Sangli on Wednesday, prompting his family to allege that he was under stress as the payment for work done under the govt's Jal Jeevan Mission was pending. The family claimed a payment of Rs 1.4 crore was due and Harshal also had a loan of Rs 65 lakh. When asked about Harshal's death, Ajit Pawar said in Mumbai, "Govt did not award a contract to Harshal Patil. Govt awarded the work to a contractor, who had a subcontract with Harshal. So, we do not have a direct connection with this. Govt makes payments after the main contractor sends his bills. We do not pay the subcontractor. We are not aware of what happened between the main contractor and the subcontractor." Pawar also said the Jal Jeevan Mission is a central scheme with a 50-50 share of the Union and state govts. It involves laying pipelines and building tanks to ensure every household gets a piped water supply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rochdale: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Undo Pawar said bills are paid as per the rules after checking the quality of work done. "It is unfortunate that a person ended his life. Police are investigating the reason for his death. His (Harshal) phone is being checked to see whom he spoke with before his death. Police are also checking if he left behind a note," the deputy CM added. Minister Gulabrao Patil also said he was told by the Sangli ZP that Harshal was not "associated with any work and, therefore, has no dues with the department." Harshal's relatives and neighbours from Tandulwadi village in Sangli said the minister's statements were like rubbing salt on their wounds. "Two years ago, we did not have water in our taps. Even the children in our village know who did the water supply work. It is because of Harshal that we have water in our taps. The statement by minister Gulabrao Patil that 'Harshal Patil was not a contractor and govt does not have dues' has hurt us," said a neighbour from Tandulwadi. The opposition parties are, however, questioning govt over payments to contractors. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, in a post on X, said, "Many Harshal Patils are dying by suicide daily in Maharashtra. The govt is committing these murders." Speaking to reporters in Pune, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed contractors have not received payment for the work done with the help of subcontractors for the past year. "Govt kept bills pending. How can one expect the subcontractors to be paid? We want justice for Harshal Patil. It is not a case of suicide but murder by the corrupt system," Rohit Pawar said, adding govt should share details of payments made to contractors till now and the dues.
