Kalaburagi not prepared for water shortage in summer due to mismanagement by civic body, alleges opposition

Leader of Opposition in the Kalaburagi City Corporation Shobha Desai and former Mayor Vishal Dhargi accused the civic administration of financial mismanagement and administrative failure saying that the corporation has virtually collapsed, severely affecting essential public services.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on February 5, they alleged that the corporation has failed to pay over ₹300 crore in compensation in land acquisition cases despite court orders, leading to seizure of civic assets and closure of offices.

They blamed the Mayor, the Commissioner and legislators of Kalaburagi South and North constituencies for failing to intervene and correcting the situation.

Ms. Desai said the drinking water crisis had worsened over the past 10 days, causing serious hardship to residents. She alleged that non-payment of dues to the agency managing water supply had resulted in poor maintenance and equipment breakdown, and that no permanent solution had been provided.

Mr. Dhargi said projects worth crores under the 15th Finance Commission and Mahatma Gandhi Urban Development Scheme had not begun in any ward despite tenders being finalised. He alleged that pourakarmikas and temporary staff were not paid their honorarium regularly, sanitation had deteriorated, and basic services were affected.

He criticised repeated fire incidents at the solid waste management unit at Udnoor village on the outskirts of the city, terming them an outcome of negligence and lack of safety measures, and warned of serious health risks to residents.

They alleged that the corporation had made no preparations to deal with the recurring water shortage ahead of summer, and alleged poor quality of road work, inadequate maintenance, and lack of coordination among departments.

They accused the ruling party of neglecting opposition wards and showing political bias in fund allocation.

Ms. Desai and Mr. Dhargi warned that if the Mayor and authorities concerned failed to address these issues immediately, the BJP leaders, along with corporators, would stage a protest in front of the Kalaburagi City Corporation office on February 9.