Water crisis grips 76 tribal families

JHARSUGUDA: AT least 76 tribal families of Jampara village in Goudmal panchayat of the district are reeling under acute drinking water crisis as there is no water supply even 70 years after Independence. The schemes launched by both the Central and the State governments have failed to quench the thirst of tribals.
Locals said due to non-availability of drinking water, womenfolk of the village walk through 1.5 km hilly and forest road to collect water from a Government tube-well, which has also failed to supply water during peak summer.

During every election, villagers hope that their long wait for water supply will end, but it has not happened even after seven decades of Independence. “Time and again, political leaders make false promises during the elections and close their eyes once they are elected to Parliament or Assembly,” said villager Purna Munda (79).

The village also continues to be deprived of basic facilities such as school, all- weather road and electricity. Out of 76 families, only five to six families have received houses under IAY and they are not even aware of Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) of the State Government. There is also no anganwadi centre for children under ICDS programme in the village, said 57-year-old Savitri Oram. 

An NGO official said, “Government assistance is not being provided to the village under any schemes. Although there is a panchayat office, no development work has been undertaken in the village. The underground pipe of the village tube-well has been damaged after laying of a railway line of MCL and no step has been taken to repair it. Villagers are languishing due to acute water scarcity as the authorities concerned are yet to supply water to Jampara.”Contacted, Sarpanch of Goudmal panchayat Magsir Khadia said, “Since long, we have been apprising the district authorities about our problems, but the officials provide only lip service to our demands.”