Acting on two different petitions the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to act over severe water scarcity problem at the Brahmapur Circle Jail and also in many villages in the State. Acting on a complaint filed by Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, the commission also sought an action-taken report (ATR) from the Brahmapur Jail authorities within four weeks.
According to the petitioner nearly 750 prisoners staying at the Brahmapur Circle Jail have been facing water scarcity due to frequent breakdown in water supply from the Rushikulya river sans a permanent water storage at the jail. “It violates the human rights of the prisoners. Disciplinary/criminal action should be taken against the jailer and immediate step should be taken to meet the water scarcity in the jail without any delay,” said the petitioner. In another petition, the petitioner alleged that nearly one crore villagers of the State are deprived of drinking water facility despite many State and Central sponsored schemes. The NHRC too asked the OHRC to take appropriate action on the issue.