CURATED BY – LAKESH PANCHESHWAR | CITYCHIEFNEW\

Lalbarra, majority of citizens of village Bithli under Gram Panchayat Aulyakanhar are facing water shortage these days. Two years ago, a water tank was constructed here by the Public Health Engineering Department, whose denting-painting has also been completed. Despite this, due to the negligence of PHE department's SDO Vijay Tiwari or his collusion with the contractor, this scheme has not been fully operational yet. The water tank is ready, but the pipe line of Chhindlai Vanganga river intake wall has not been connected to the tank yet. The contractor's negligence can be gauged from the fact that the pipes required to connect the Nal-Jal Yojana to the tank have been scattered in the village for many days, but the work has not started yet. Due to this, the villagers are facing a serious problem of drinking water.

Sarpanch and Panchayat representatives did the inspection

After receiving complaints of the stoppage of the tap-water scheme in the village, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Aulyaknhar, Smt. Premlata Bisen, Deputy Sarpanch Anjira Patil, Secretary Santlal Pandren and other Panchgans inspected the tap-water scheme by going door to door in village Bithli on Wednesday. To avoid sudden dispute, prior information of the inspection was given to the Tehsildar and Police Station Incharge Lalbarra and Munadi was also done by the village Kotwar. During the inspection, it was found that in many houses people were using motor pumps to draw water in large quantities, due to which some people were getting plenty of water, but in most of the houses there was a severe shortage of water. Apart from this, many tap connections did not have a spout, due to which water was being wasted. At the same time, some tap connections were being used for irrigation of private fields and orchards, due to which water was not reaching the houses ahead.

Warning on irregularities in water use
The village sarpanch and panchayat representatives instructed that the houses which have motor connections should remove the motor within three days and get taps fitted. It was also warned that if the instructions are not followed or the motor is found to be fitted again, the concerned water connection will be disconnected and the motor will be confiscated. During this time, the panchayat also got taps fitted in many taps without taps.

The problem of water crisis increased due to collusion between the SDO and the contractor
The role of SDO Vijay Tiwari of the PHE department is also under suspicion for the serious problem of water in the village. The villagers allege that due to collusion between the contractor and the SDO, the work is getting unnecessarily delayed. Despite two years having passed since the construction of the tank, the water supply has not started yet, which makes it clear that the negligence of the departmental officers and contractors is causing trouble to the villagers. During the inspection, it was also found that the quality of work is not being monitored by the department, due to which water supply may be affected in future. Panchayat representatives have demanded to send a complaint to the higher authorities in this regard and take strict action against the culprits.

Children found absent during school inspection

During her visit to village Bithli, Sarpanch Smt. Premlata Bisen also inspected the Anganwadi center and primary school. Despite a total of 47 students being registered in the school from class 1 to 5, only 7 students were found present during the inspection, while the attendance register mentioned the presence of 16 students. On this, the Sarpanch instructed the teachers to ensure regular attendance of the students. During the inspection of mid-day meal, it was found that rice, Bhaate ki Sabzi and Dal were served to the children. All the three teachers posted in the school, Dhaniram Thackeray, Hemraj Kature and Sunita Thackeray were found present.

The Panchayat is planning to take necessary action by informing the higher authorities soon on the problem of water in village Bithli and irregular attendance of students in the school.