'Basudha scheme failure': Odisha villagers put utensils on road protesting shortage of drinking water

Hundreds of women and men from Palaput village under Koraput’s Narayanpatna block staged a unique protest by putting utensils on the road alleging failure of Odisha government’s Basudha scheme.

They alleged that they are not getting drinking water under the Basudha scheme for the last couple of years as the water tank in their village is lying defunct. Around 800 villagers of Palaput are forced to trek the hill to bring water from the river.

“We do not have drinking water supply to our village for three years now. The problem has not been resolved despite complaining to the BDO many times,” alleged a protester.

Another protesting woman said, “The government erected a water tank in our village. But it was only an eyewash. They supplied water for a few days and it has been lying defunct since then. The authorities even demanded Rs 500 from each person to repair pipes. But even after payment by some people, they did not repair the pipes.”

“Our children are getting infected with stomach diseases by drinking polluted water from the river,” she alleged.

Buxi Jagabandhu Assured Water Supply to Habitations (BASUDHA) project was launched on November 23, 2018, by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The primary objective of the Basudha scheme was to provide adequate safe water to rural people for drinking and domestic purposes on a sustainable basis.