Sagara: Dr. Manjappa, who had carved a name and respect for him and was fondly known as “eradu rupayi vaidyaru” (two-rupee doctor) passed away on Sunday, aged 85.

A resident of Joseph Nagar here, Dr. Manjappa is survived by his son and daughter. The funeral rites will be held at the Marikamba crematorium on Sunday.

Dr. Manjappa, who has been a private practitioner for six decades, had set up a clinic on JC Road. He was popular among patients in both urban and rural areas for his efficiency and friendly nature.

The philanthropic nature of the doctor’s style of work was also what earned him great respect among the people. Dr. Manjappa is known to have never asked for a specific fee amount from his patients. He is also known to have refused any sort of felicitation from organizations for his work, saying service of the people was the greatest source of satisfaction for him.

Legislator Halappa Haratalu, former minister Kagodu Thimmappa and several other dignitaries visited Dr. Manjappa’s residence and paid respects to the late doctor.

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Bengaluru: As summer intensifies across Karnataka, the state government is preparing to initiate a special campaign to test drinking water across the state.

A directive is expected to be issued to all chief executive officers of zilla panchayats, instructing gram panchayats within their jurisdictions to conduct water quality tests, as reported by The New Indian Express on Thursday.

Karnataka has around 6,000 gram panchayats and their staff have been trained to conduct field tests. They check the water quality for 12 parameters, including potential of hydrogen (PH), chloride, fluoride, iron, nitrate, alkalinity, residual chlorine, and total dissolved solids. The hydrogen sulfide test is also conducted to check the presence of bacteria.

The testing has been made mandatory after several drinking water contamination cases have been reported over the years across the state, added the report.

Anjum Parvez, Additional Chief Secretary for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, said that water quality testing is routinely mandated twice a year—once before and once after the monsoon season.

“During pre-monsoon, groundwater level goes down and the quality of water has to be checked. Post monsoon, the flow of water is more, and the threat of contamination is not high, but even then water is tested. Potable drinking water is our priority,’’ TNIE report quoted Parvez as saying.

He also noted that panchayat development officers and engineers regularly inspect water supply pipelines for leakages.

The state government has taken disciplinary action in past cases involving supply of contaminated water and is now conducting special campaigns to prevent such incidents.