This story is from June 15, 2019

Release white paper on kudimaramath: TTV Dhinakaran to Tamil Nadu govt

Release white paper on kudimaramath: TTV Dhinakaran to Tamil Nadu govt
CHENNAI: Alleging lack of transparency in the state-funded kudimaramath scheme, the traditional restoration of water bodies, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran on Saturday demanded the state government to release a white paper on it.
The rebel leader raised doubts over the scheme's execution in the last two years, a day after the public works department issued an order sanctioning Rs 499.68 crore for the scheme this fiscal.
“Even as the fate of allotment of funds in the last two years remains unknown, the Palaniswami government has sanctioned the sum to divert the attention of the people, who are reeling under drinking water crisis,” Dhinakaran said.
The state government sanctioned Rs 100 crore in 2017 under “kudimaramath – water bodies restoration with participatory approach” on a pilot basis. A sum of Rs 328.95 crore was sanctioned last year to take up 1,511 works covering 29 districts.
Alleging poor restoration of water bodies, Dhinakaran said that rivers, channels, tanks and ponds in the state were awaiting clean up exercise. “There are complaints of Cauvery water not reaching the tail-end regions. Question does arise over the allotment of funds for the scheme in the past,” he said, demanding that the state release details of district-wise kudimaramath work proposed for this fiscal.
He said the government should put up display boards with details of work, cost estimates, contractor and the schedule. A committee comprising villagers with no political leanings, and farmers associations should be set up in each village to monitor the programme. “Without which, the announcement will be deemed as the one to fool people. People will not forgive them (government) if they handle the basic need of drinking water issue with such lethargy,” Dhinakaran said.
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