No Water Flows from Jal Jeevan Mission Taps

Visakhapatnam: Members of 12 Konda Dora families, including women, belonging to Yekkuva Gaddi in Rompilly panchayat, Anantagiri mandal of Alluri Sitaramaraju district marched with empty pots on their heads in protest against not getting water from three taps installed in their village under centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission.

The taps had been commissioned recently in the village. No water is flowing out of them.

The Adivasi refused to accept their plight. They decided to march with empty pots to bring the issue to the attention of the district collector and ITDA project officer.

Rompalli panchayat ward member Somila Appalaraju told Deccan Chronicle that the installation of taps without water means funds have been misappropriated.

In this regard, Girijana Sahakara Rythu Sangham leader Konaparthi Simhachalam termed it another scam. "Officials clear crores of bills for half-done road works,” he remarked.

Pottangi Sanyasamma hoped the district collector and ITDA PO would help out. Otherwise, Yekkuva Gaddi villagers have to travel 7 km to Peddagedda water springs to fetch their drinking water.

Village women have warned that if their drinking water problem is not resolved, they will protest at the panchayat secretariat with empty pots.