Opposition Congress and BJP on Monday castigated the State Government in the Assembly for its alleged failure to provide drinking water to people. Participating in an Adjournment Motion discussion, Opposition members alleged that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has no moral right to hold the post as he has failed to provide drinking water to people despite being in power for 16 years.
leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said that at present, about 40 per cent people traverse more than a mile to collect water compared to 32 per cent in 2001. The situation has arisen due to lack of coordination between the Urban Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Departments, he said.
Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who had brought the motion, said people are facing water crisis in almost all villages. BJP MlA Rabinarayan Naik said the RD Department does not have sufficient funds to provide drinking water. Refuting the charges, BJD MlA Amar Prasad Satpathy said the Government has taken steps on a war footing to face the problem.
In his reply, RD Minister Badri Narayan Patra said several works could not progress due to reduction in Central funds for drinking water projects.
“It is usual that the water level decreases in summer. But the State Government has taken a host of measures to resolve the issue,” he said. Patra said 4,30,717 tube-wells and 10,228 pipe water supply systems have been put up to supply water to people.
The Government has put in place systems to provide water in 1,57,158 villages/hamlets
uninterruptedly.