Coin inserted, but no water!

The reality of the government’s scheme to provide water

Subrahmanya: The heat of the summer is increasing by the day. Those venturing out under the sun to the market or the town are haunted by thirst and look towards the public water unit. But the government’s scheme to provide drinking water for one rupee through private contractors is failing to be effective.

In 2017, the government had implemented the scheme of providing drinking water at the cost of a rupee at select GP limits. Accordingly, such units were installed at various locations in Sullia taluk. The drinking water scheme has not been effectively implemented in rural areas.

The RCC roofed units have been created at locations identified at 11 GP limits in the taluk. Along with a water tank, goods worth lakhs of rupees has been attached to it. At some places, the unit has also been connected with power supply. But none of the units have started functioning. At some places, plants have grown around the units.

This is units to provide drinking water were established under the NRWSR plan. The state level KRDL got the contract for this along with 5 years of maintenance. After the completion of the period, the responsibility of the maintenance of the units was of the local administration. But the units have not yet started functioning. Even the tap water facilities at public locations are not function.

Notice issued

In one phase the money has been provided. But later, the reason being given for the work not starting is that money has not been provided. Hence, the contractors did not complete their work within the prescribed time.

The government’s scheme has now caught rust. The Department has sent notices twice to the contractors to finish the work.

Where are the units?

The public drinking water units in the taluk have been constructed at Subrahmanya GP’s  Yenekallu, Hariharapallatadka, Kollamogru, Madappadi, Balila, Panja-2, Kodial, Kalanja, Kalmadka and Yenmur.

No power supply yet!

If the work aimed at 11 locations in the taluk has reached its final stages at some locations, at some other locations it has not even started. The work on connecting the units with power supply ahs been completed a year ago. The contractors who were given the contract to install the iwring to the unit have completed their work. Yet, there is no power supply.

Neglect is not correct

“Even though there are coin operated units to get drinking water, they are of no use. It is not correct to spend crores of rupees on such schemes only to later neglect them,” said Ramesh, Auto Rickshaw Driver, Yenekallu

Article by Balakrishna Bhimaguli translated into English by Aaron Dmello