BENGALURU:The Opposition BJP has alleged irregularities in reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water units installed throughout the state, and have demanded a house committee probe into the issue.
The state government, however, has urged the Opposition to press for a house committee probe only if they are unhappy with the proceedings of a meeting scheduled on July 12.
As many as 18,098 RO units are being installed in the state at a cost of `985.8 crore. So far 11,099 units are operational.MLC Raghunathrao Malkapure raised suspicion over the quality of products supplied by private firms.“We suspect that 50 per cent of the machines are not working. An executive engineer of Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd - the agency which installed the machines - was suspended in Koppal due to irregularities,” Malkapure said.
Whip of the opposition Mahantesh Kavatagimath questioned why procurement of RO units was exempted from Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act and asked what percentage of the fines imposed on companies that supplied faulty machines was paid till date.
Opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary said there is widespread corruption in the scheme. For instance, of the 11 units installed in Sullia constituency in Dakshina Kannada, only one was functional.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said a meeting of MLCs will be convened next week, during which the issue could be taken up.