Bhubaneswar: In a novel way of protest over the non-availability of drinking water facilities, members of the State Mahila Congress on Monday broke earthen pots in front of the office of the district collectors across the State.
In Puri, Mahila Congress members, led by Sasmita Behera, staged a demonstration and broke earthen pots in front of the Collector's office.
Behera said, “We have brought down our protest onto the road demanding immediate solution to the problem of clean drinking water. If water is not supplied to every household, we will gherao the Assembly during the ensuing second phase of the budget session.”
Similarly, members of the State Mahila Congress took out a procession in Nayagarh town before staging a demonstration in front of the district Collector's office.
Sandhyarani Mohapatra, vice president, Nayagarh district congress, said, “We are undertaking a demonstration with demand for clean drinking water to the people of Nayagarh.”
In other parts of Odisha, including Berhampur, Khurda and Phulbani, members of the State Mahila Congress staged demonstrations alleging the State government had failed to provide clean drinking water to the people.
Meanwhile, claiming the State government has made all arrangements to ensure clean drinking water, Pratap Deb, BJD spokesperson, said, “The state government has already allocated funds to all the panchayats to repair water pipes. Besides, elected representatives at the panchayats have been told to make the necessary arrangements. The district administrations have also been asked to dig tube wells wherever required.”
Notably, the State is suffering from an intense heat wave for the past few days with temperatures at most places staying above 40 degree Celsius.