Nuagaon: Villagers of Pipaldhipatela in Chitapedi panchyat of Nuagao block in Sundargarh district have declared to boycott elections as the authorities have failed to solve the water shortage in their village.
The shortage of water has multiplied woes in the densely populated tribal village of Pipaldhipatela. With summer setting in, the inertia of civic bodies has worsened the situation. Wells, rivers and streams have gone dry and the irregular water supply is undependable.
The villagers have been suffering from water shortage for five years. They face drinking water problem throughout the year. There is a well near the village. Although its water is not usable, villagers drink it as that is the only option.
But the worst thing is that there is no water in the well during summer. The villagers have to travel around three km on cycle and bullock cart to get water.
The Panchayat Samiti Baithak declared Chitapedi as a water deficit area 10 years ago.
The villagers have been complaining to the administration and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Department about the water shortage, but there is no action.
Pipaldhipatela has 40 households, but the administration has not provided even a tube-well here.
The villagers decided to boycott the polls as the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation department and the administration have failed to solve their water crisis.
RWSS Junior Engineer said he had tried to arrange a tube-well, but due to the rains the vehicles could go to the village. He said he had tried it again, but it was not possible.
He said that as the Model Code of Conduct has come into force, he can’t do anything to help Pipaldhipatela. The official said that if he gets orders from higher authorities he will take action.
The villagers said that the officials were lying and that the excuse of rains was false. They demanded quick action by senior administration officers to solve the water problem.
PNN