Retaining walls will be constructed for tanks, says Lad

Labour Minister and Dharwad district in charge Santosh Lad has said that as a precautionary measure, retaining walls will be constructed for tanks that are a source of drinking water in villages.

He was speaking to presspersons at Yarinarayanapur village in Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district on Saturday, after meeting and consoling the family of the twins who drowned in the village tank.

He said a retaining wall would also be constructed for the Yarinarayanapur tank. Muzammil and Musheer, the twins of Sharifsab Chandhukhanvar, drowned in the village tank on June 19.

As tanks get filled up during the rainy season, it was necessary that adequate precautionary measures were taken to prevent people from venturing near them. Already, clear instructions had been issued to authorities and steps would also be taken to create awareness among the public, he said.

The Minister clarified that a ₹50-lakh grant was given for development of the tank in Yarinarayanapur. Despite preventive measures, children moved on the tank bund resulting in the mishap. Retaining walls alone would not prevent such mishaps as people were also required to be cautious, he said.

The Minister said the anganwadi centre adjacent to the tank in the village would be shifted to another place, keeping in mind the safety of the children.

Mr. Lad handed over a cheque of ₹4 lakh from the Santosh Lad Foundation and said that he would personally request the Chief Minister for releasing compensation to the family from the CM’s relief fund.

The Minister was accompanied by MLA M.R. Patil, Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J., ZP CEO Bhuvanesh Patil, and other officials.

Suspended

Meanwhile, Panchayat Development Officer of Gudenakatti Gram Panchayat D.M. Kalwad has been suspended by Mr. Patil on the charge of dereliction of duty.

During the visit, the Minister had noticed the officer’s negligence towards public safety and failure to develop infrastructure in Yarinarayanapur village and had directed the authorities to take suitable action.