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Tribute To Those Toiling Tough

This blog is a tribute to those farmers who toil to feed empty stomaches, but are fed up and frustrated with a system which mocks at their toils.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Water in News (WIN)


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 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)  

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