It is good to know that the Chief Minister N Biren Singh is at least concerned with the problem of scarcity of drinking water in Imphal although the minister in charge of PHED or Water Supply is still busy in other activities like distribution of scythes (Thanghai) to state Home department and some NGOs to help in the destruction of poppy plantations in the hill areas of Manipur.
As we said before, PHED minister Sushildro has no business to go looking for poppy fields in the state in a helicopter, instead of deliberating on this serious problem of water scarcity in Imphal. Poppy cultivation is indeed a scourge, but there are enough people to look after it. The chief minister himself is directly looking after the destruction of poppy fields which keep popping up in every nook and corner of the state.
ALSO READ: Water Please, Mr CM
Despite the pledges given by village chieftains and headmen to cooperate with the government’s mission ‘War on Drugs’ this will go on and it is the responsibility of the state Home department of which the chief minister is in charge. If anybody wants to help in the campaign, it is alright, but it should not be at the cost of one’s own responsibilities. So, the chief minister needs to remind the concerned minister to look after his own department’s responsibilities.
As we said earlier, power and safe drinking water is basic in the life of the common people, which the state government needs to ensure. Imphal city has been facing a drinking water crisis for the last six/seven months or so. Water is not flowing in the PHED pipes anymore since the last six/seven months and people are buying water from private water tankers at exorbitant rates and no one seems to bother. Major portions of Imphal city have been facing water scarcity and have had to depend on private water tankers. In fact, private water supply has become a booming business.
ALSO READ: Why is the celebration when the taps are running dry?
On the other hand, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) comes up with notifications like such and such water supply schemes would not be able to supply drinking water for lack of sufficient stock. It is true, water reservoirs and rivers have gone dry. But, what is the department doing about it? If the notification is meant for the public to use water sparingly, it is alright. The general public should not waste water which is being supplied through the pipes, in some areas.
However, we understand that PHED is not there to just inform the general public about the water stock position. It is there to ensure regular supply of safe drinking water to the general public in the backdrop of much vaunted Jal Jeevan Mission and other schemes. The other day, the chief minister said that the water from Thoubal or Maphou Dam had reached Chingkhei Ching Water Treatment plant and from there the laying of pipes and works for supply of drinking water to various water supply schemes in Imphal is going on in earnest. Well, this should have been an announcement from the PHED minister. But, sadly in our state the chief minister has to do everything it seems. Or is it his fault that no minister can say anything without his say so?
