Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Controversial desilting in Sivaganga village comes to a halt

By R. Ilangovan

Madurai Nov. 20. The Sivaganga district administration has ordered cancellation of a work order issued for desilting of the Nainappan Servai tank at Satharasankottai in the Kalayarkoil union.

The Kalayarkoil panchayat Union Commissioner, in his October 30, pointed out that the work, sanctioned under the Prime Minister's Sampoorna Village Development Scheme, was not carried out as per stipulated guidelines.

The cancellation followed a report by the union engineer, who on October 15, carried out spot enquiry in the hamlet and asked the workers not to proceed further as desilting was not done in conformity with the stipulations.

Earlier, a sum of Rs.90,000 had been sanctioned to one Gnanakkan for desilting. But the villagers claimed that the work was actually executed by Sahabudhin, AIADMK councillor of the Satharasan Kottai, who used excavators instead of employing local manpower.

When a Dalit farm worker, Velu, resisted the use of machine, he was roughed up and beaten up allegedly by a group, including the councillor. He underwent treatment in the Sivaganga Government hospital for multiple injuries for nearly a week.

The incident triggered widespread criticism from the public, particularly human rights activists. The district CPI (M), which assisted Velu, submitted a detailed memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding an enquiry. An enquiry ordered by the district administration has now led to cancellation of the work order. It also refused to release funds for desilting, following the controversy.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Science & Tech | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Water tariff raised for local bodies
• Judge warns officials of contempt action
• NLC tower damaged in powerful blast
• Peculiar situation brings Left closer to Congress
• Kingpin of callgirl racket nabbed
• T.N. seeks Central grant of Rs. 3,000 cr.
• Controversial desilting in Sivaganga village comes to a halt
• Stepmotherly treatment, says Madurai Mayor
• 'Mizoram lottery scheme lacks transparency'
• Police hunt for G.K. Mani
• 'Final push' to leprosy eradication gets under way

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu