4 Day Water Pumping Period to be Further Increased by a Day – DC Sasikanth Senthil
Mangaluru: “Regarding the water issue, we have been able to save some additional water by following the rationing system. Due to this additional water, we might change the current system of 4-day pumping of water and 3-day cut off period. We will reduce the shutdown period by one day. Right now, the shutdown period is till May 31st but we will stop the shutdown period by May 30th and resume pumping of water from May 31st. Similarly, the next shutdown period from June 5th – June 10th will be changed to June 5th – June 9th. It is a 5-day pumping and 3-day shutdown rationing system for the next two iterations.” said Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil speaking to mediapersons at his office here, on May 29.
Addressing the mediapersons Sasikanth Senthil said, “Today, we have a meeting about the desilting process as well. The proof of concept is ready. The desilting of Thumbe Dam will start shortly because sand and other materials will come out of it. We must grade the material and sell it as well. Otherwise, we will take it out and it will go somewhere else. The desilting of major canals is almost over and the desilting of minor canals is on-going. We are also going to be launching a mobile app for selling sand. It will solve the problem of illegal sand mining once and for all. So far, 410 orders have been received and 257 orders have already been delivered. The app will ensure that there is no price variation in sand orders. The app is still in the beta testing stage and more details will be shared once it has been fully launched.”
Earlier this month, the operation of Mangaluru’s endosulfan day care centres was taken over by Seon Ashram starting from June 1. The term of Seva Bharathi, that has been handling the day care centres for more than two years, will come to an end on May 31st. Parents of endosulfan children have voiced their displeasure at this change in authority.
Regarding this issue, Sasikanth Senthil said, “Initially there was a condition that you have to have experience in the Government sector to bid for the tender. Under that condition, only Seva Bharathi was eligible. Other institutions raised objections saying that it was an exclusive clause. After that, the committee added that even private enterprises were eligible for the tender. Five enterprises participated in the tender. The L1 tender was given to the Seon Ashram in Kasargod. However, the parents of the endosulfan children are saying that Seva Bharathi must continue. Government procedure states that the tender must be given to the lowest bidder. So, what we have decided, is that if the qualities of the two enterprises don’t match, then we will rescind the tender and recall for a new tender.”
Later, the parents of endosulfan children met with the Deputy Commissioner and presented him with an official memorandum stating their desire for Seva Bharathi to continue operating the endosulfan daycare centres in Mangaluru.