WIN - A daily digest of water
issues and news covered in media
For 16th May 2014 to 18th May 2014, Friday
to Sunday
Today’s bulletin covers water news and issues published from May 16, 2014 to May 18, 2014 in print or e-paper editions of the
following newspapers: (a) Sambad (all editions) (b) Samaj (Bhubaneswar and
Sambalpur), (c) Dharitri, (d) Prameya (all edition), (e) Samay (Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur), (f)
Pragativadi, (g) Times of India (Bhubaneswar), (h) Pioneer (Bhubaneswar), and
(i)) New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar). Besides we have covered web portals of
(a) The Hindu, (b) The Telegraph, (c) Orissadiary, and (d) Odisha Sun Times.
Rural Drinking Water
Damaged pipeline not repaired, people collect water from ‘Chua’ in
Gopabandhunagar block of Mayurbhanj district: 18th May issue of Balasore
edition of Sambad reports that people of Haribansh habitation in Aarapata
Panchayat are facing acute water scarcity. They are collecting water from a
very small ‘chua’. The locals allege that due to carelessness of Contractor the
water pipeline was damaged during PMGSY road construction. The fault has been
brought to notice of the Panchayat as well as the RWSS but nobody has bothered
to repair. The ‘Chua’ is also drying. People, staring very bad days in coming
weeks, demand urgent repair of the pipeline.
Most PWS projects in Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj are paralysed or defunct,
water scarcity acute: 18th
May issue of Balasore edition of Sambad reports that PWS projects of Suanpala,
Dhalabani, Durdhura, Kapanda, Mahardhapalsa, Jashipur, Nimasahi, Gadtalsahi,
dhobadiha, Anukulpur are defunct. The report further mentions that wells and
projects in Similipal area are also defunct. The report also mentions that very
few new tubewells have been dug this year.
Agrapada block in Bhadrak district under acute water stress -
‘Jalachhatra’ have not been opened, tubewells and PWS projects defunct: 18th May issue of Balasore
edition of Sambad reports that Jalachhatra have not been opened in Purushandha,
Badmahishgotha, Gopinathpur, Mahantipada and Anijo Panchayats of Agarpada block
of Bhadrak distct. RWSS department is not showing seriousness to repair tubewells.
Most PWS projects have failed and lying defunct.
PWS defunct in Kelda village of Chandnimal GP in Kuchinda block: 17th May issue of Rourkela
edition of Sambad reports that the PWS in Kelda village is defunct as the out
of order pump is not being repaired. The report informs that since the
contractor has not handed over the project, the motor is not being repaired.
Locals have demanded urgent repair of the pump.
Kantamal PWS projects in Boudh district have totally failed: 16th May issue of Samay reports
that out of 30 PWS project in Kantamal block of Boudh district only 8 to 10
projects are working. Other projects are defunct. Even Kantamal block head
quarter is not spared as the overhead tanks completed with an expenditure of Rs
30 lakh are lying unused. A 39 year old pipe water supply project, built in
1973, is supplying water to only few taps in Kantamal village.
PWS in Hatikucha village in Koida block of Sundargarh district defunct
since three years: 16th
May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports that the PWS project in
Hatikucha village in Koida block of Sundargarh district is defunct since last
three years. It worked for only two months and is defunct since then. Parts and
machineries are rotting. Villagers demand urgent repair of the project.
Only tubewell of Bhaliabadi village in Jhargaon block of Nabarangpur
district defunct, people collect water from ‘chua’: 16th May issue of Jaipur
edition of Sambad reports that the only tubewell in Bhalibadi village is defunct
as ground water level has gone down. The whole village now depends on a ‘chua’
in the bed of a nearby stream.
R.Udayagir PWS project supplying water to low lying areas only: 17th May issue of Samay has a
report from R. Udayagiri. The report says that even after spending of Rs 15
lakh from Kandhamal-Gajapati scheme, the PWS project is not able to supply
water to many parts.
Tubewells defunct since last two weeks in Kabra and Joranda GPs of
Gandia block in Dhenknal: 16th
May issue of Angul edition of Sambad reports that tubewells in Talasahi,
Pokharisahi villages of Kabra GP and Kankalunda dihasahi and Uparsahi villages
of Joranda GP are defunct since two weeks. Concerned department officials have
been intimated but the tubewells have not been repaired.
Influential people pumping out water from pipeline of Singhpur PWS
project in Jajpur, people face acute water scarcity: 16th May issue of Samay reports
that many people are directly pumping out water from Singhpur PWS project, in
Binjharpur block of Jajpur district. It says that people are using electric
motor pumps to draw water directly from the pipelines and stand posts for various
uses, including for vegetable cultivation and to water compost pits. Because of
such use many stand posts are running dry. Concerned official has assured that
strict action will be taken against people who are using motor pumps.
Cold water point in Nimapada block office campus not working since two
years: A news in 16th
May issue of Dharitri informs that a cold water point inside NImapada block
office compound is not working since two years. BDO has promised to repair it.
Tubewell in Belpada Harijan basti in Balangir defunct since two months: 17th May issue of Sambalpur
edition of Prameya reports that the only tubewell in Harijan basti of Belpada
village in Balangir district is defunct since last two months. RWSS officials
say that the tubewell is defunct as ground water level has gone down. Locals
allege that officials are not using adequate pipe to reach to the water levels.
Pattamundai water supply defunct, people
collecting water from ‘Potanai’: 16th May issue of Dharitri
informs that no 8 ward of Pattamundai NAC in Kendrapada district is suffering
from serious water problem as the PHED department’s pipe network is defunct.
People are collecting polluted water from nearby ‘Potanai’. Demand of local
people for water supply has fallen on deaf ears, the report alleges. Locals have
threatened agitation if pipe water supply is not made.
Sanitation
Sambalpur citizen forum submits memorandum to Chief Secretary – Rues
pathetic sanitation status of the town: 16th May issue Sambalpur edition of Sambad informs
about Sambalpur Development Manch’s memorandum to the Chief Secretary regarding
very poor drainage and sanitation status of the town. The Manch has urged for
urgent clearing of drain and garbage. It has also sought probe into large scale
corruption and irregularities by the Municipality and also by the revenue
department in converting ownership of government land.
Domestic and tubewell waste flowing through Dhumabhata village road in
Belpada block of Balangir district: 16th May issue of Sambalpur edition of Samay
reports that domestic and tubewell waste water is flowing through the middle of
Dhumabhata village road. There is no space for drain due to encroachment. The
report also says villagers are demanding a probe into expenditure of Gaon
Kalyan Fund. BDO has assured that concrete road along with drains will be
constructed soon.
Health
Diarrhoea spreads to Khojapalli village
in Kabisuryanagar block of Ganjam: 17th May issue of Rourkela
edition of Sambad reports about spread of diarrhoea from Deogaon village to
Khojapalli village where 20 people have been affected. Water sources of the
village have been collected for testing. This news had earlier been coved on 16th
May by Berhampur edition of Sambad and Bhubaneswar edition of Samaya.
Polluted water in village of Krushnaprasad block diarrhoea, PWS project
incomplete since last two years : 18th May issue of Angul edition
of Sambad informs that 10 person of Gilinasi village in Sial Panchayat of
Krushnaprasad block in Puri district are being treated for diarrhoea. The
village has only two tube wells – one is defunct while the other has high iron
contamination. Locals allege that since two years pipelines have been laid and
stand posts have been erected. But water supply has not started.
No respite from Diarrhoea in Kanas block area: 18th May issue of Samaj reports
that there has been no respite from diarrhoea in Jodapathar, Guadia, Bhoipada
and Karmala villages of Kanas block in Puri district. More than 75 people are
affected by the disease. Dirinking polluted water has been blamed as the
reason.
Dispute
Water theft leads to violent clash in village of Jajpur district: 17th May issue of Samay reports
about an unfortunate incidence from Kanipal village of Biripata GP in Jajpur
district. Illegal water extraction from the pipeline has led to violent clash
in the village, injuring 8 people. The violence started when one section of the
village objected to illegal connection by a family to take water from main pipeline
of village PWS project to their home.
Water
Management
Water bodies in Kujang, Paradeep and Ersama area decreasing, danger for
next generation: Referring
to decreasing and decaying water bodies in Paradeep, Kujang and Ersama areas of
Jagatsinghpur district, 18th May issue of Dharitri apprehends that
future generation is likely to face serious adverse consequences. The report
goes back to the history of Kujanga and informs that numerous natural water
bodies have gradually been occupied by people and converted to private
ownership. Many such occupied lands have since been filled up and converted to
agriculture land, or industrial or urban use. Many natural drainage lines have
also been choked or occupied. The report extensively lists water bodies which
have been converted for other uses or are lying in very neglected condition. As
an affect groundwater levels are already decreasing in the area.
Large pond in BIrmaharajpur subdivision silting up: 18th May issue of Sambalpur edition of
Samaj reports that the hundred years old ‘Nili Bandh’ of Khandhata village in
Birmaharajpur subdivision is silting up. The pond was holding lot of water even
in summer months. Now the pond is drying due to negligence and lack of
renovation.
Pollution
Industrial pollutants spoil Baitarani river, Mulapal and Ranpur villages
of Korei block in Jajpur district complain illness: 16th May issue of Dharitri
reports that industrial and mining waste have severely polluted Baitarani river
water. Water has turned black. Farmers using the water to irrigate their
vegetable crops have suffered as crops are reacting to polluted water. People
using the river water are complaining of skin and eye infections. Locals allege that government has taken no
step to test the water and check pollution
8 cattle dead, 5 people ill due to
polluted water in Sial Panchayat of Krushnaprasad block: 18th
May issue of Angul edition of Sambad reports that 8 cattle have already dead in
Gilinasi village of Sial Panchayat in Krushnaprasad block of Puri district. The
report attributes deaths to severe water scarcity in the village which forces
cattle to drink polluted water. The report further informs that five people are
affected by gastro-intestinal infection due to bad water.
Drainage
Siphon demand by Cuttack Sadar block residents: 16th May issue of Dharitri has
reported about Siphon demand of villagers from Paramhans, Rajhans and
Nimeishapur villages under Cuttack Sadar block. Large area of the village stay
water logged for prolonged period resulting in recurrent crop damage. Some
farmers have suggested releasing of flood water to canal to facilitate quick
drainage. Local people have submitted a memorandum to Water Resource Principal
Secretary in which they have demanded sluice gates at Rajhans of Machhgaon
canal and at Dighi of Taladanda canal.
Disaster
Illegal brick kiln increase River
erosion fear in Gurundia block of Sundargarh: : 18th
May issue of Rourkela edition of Sambad reports that illegal brick kilns along
river banks in Kucheita and Banki Panchayats may cause river erosion. The
report alleges that revenue department has closed its eyes to the problem.
Good
News
Dalit women dig up pond, find solution
to water woes of village in Astarang block of Puri district: 16th
May issue of Samaj features a very good news of dalit women of Udaykani village
of Astarang block in Puri district collectively digging up a pond to find
solution to water woes of their village. The motivation came from
non-government organisations Young India and Action Aid.
Demanding toilet woman puts
marriage at stake – gets toilet, Rs one lakh prize: 13th May
issue of Business Standard has carried a very interesting case. Alakh Niranjan's marriage was headed for
the rocks till an NGO stepped in to provide what his wife wanted - a toilet.
Sulabh International constructed a toilet and also rewarded the wife Rs.100,000
for demanding proper sanitation facilitie. The lady had put her marriage at
stake. Last month Niranjan's wife approached the women's helpline in Patna
seeking help for a divorce after her husband failed to construct a toilet
despite repeated assurances. Sulabh International came forward not only to
construct a toilet for that lady, but also rewarded the valiant lady. (http://www.news18.com/news/bihar/sulabh-toilet-saves-alakh-niranjans-marriage-472739.html)
People in Rajasthan guard their well at night to prevent
stealing: Gadraroad,
Ramsar and Chouhtan tehsil areas of Barmer district in Rajasthan are badly
affected by drinking water shortage. The shortage has been so acute that people
are now guarding their wells during night to prevent water theft. (http://www.news18.com/news/rajasthan/here-fear-of-water-theft-forces-villagers-to-guard-their-wells-all-night-472681.html)
Advertisement /
Tender etc
New scheme for saline water
for prawn culture: 18th May issue of Sambad and Samaj carry an
advertisement by Cuttack branch of Fishery Directorate. The advertisement
informs that government lands will be given on 15 years long term lease for
prawn culture in coastal Odisha. The advertisement says that for further
information interested people may visit www.odishafisheries.com
or meet District Fishery Officer.
(Earlier edition of WIN can be accessed at www.rcdcindia.org)
