Mangaluru : The CPI(M) has accused Mayor Kavitha Sanil of misguiding the people saying the region is facing shortage of water and imposing rationing of water. “Even though there is sufficient water in Thumbe dam, Mayor Kavitha Sanil has been misleading the public by providing false information through the media saying that there is no enough water in the dam and hence water rationing has been initiated. In reality, the Mangaluru City Corporation is creating an artificial water shortage to misuse the funds released for drought relief works,” said CPI(M) Mangaluru South Committee secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal.

He was speaking at a protest held in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Mangaluru on Monday against the price hike and inefficiency of the local administration in providing drinking water. The leader stated that, by portraying that there is a serious problem for drinking water in Mangaluru, the corporators want to plunder the drought relief funds. He also accused both, the corporators the BJP and the Congress of being involved in the scam.

He pointed out that in spite of several crores of rupees being released by the state government, the lakes in Mangaluru have not been developed over the years. Where do all the funds go, he wanted to know. Bajal warned of picketing the City Corporation if the Mayor does not present the reality before the public. He also urged the government to implement the Gundya project to provide water to Dakshina Kannada. Also, vented dams should be constructed to Netravathi river, he demanded.

Bajal criticised the irregularities in the Food and Civil Supplies Department and said that the state government has completely failed in providing foodgrains to the eligible. “The coupon system has been a mess. The Karnataka government should look at Kerala, which has been supplying around 24 goods in the fairprice shops, without any hassle,” he suggested. He also condemned the Central government for the hike in the prices of petrol and LPG. “Even though the crude oil prices have decreased in the international market, the petrol and diesel prices have not been decreased – they have been increased instead. This has led to a rise in transportation costs,” he pointed out.

A protest rally was taken out from Mini Vidhan Soudha till the deputy commissioner’s office premises, prior to the protest meet. CPI(M) district secretary Vasanth Achari, leaders Jayanthi, Bharathi Bolar, Suresh Jalligudde and Yogish Jeppinamogaru were present on the occasion.