BHOPAL: Cutting across party lines, MLAs expressed deep concern in the House on possibility of acute water crisis in MP in coming summer as most hand-pumps have already dried up. The Nal-Jal Yojana should be given a new lease of life to ensure piped water supply in the state by April-end, they said. The issue came up during discussion on demand for grant of jail and PHE departments on Thursday.
Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said, “The entire state, especially Bundelkhand and Rewa regions are facing acute water crisis. Hand pumps have dried up. So the minister should ensure to rejuvenate Nal-Jal Yojan for piped water supply by April-end. Water supply is a big problem in the state and it looms larges in summer so a stitch in time will save nine.”
Saurav Singh of the Congress said, “CM Chouhan distributes relief for drought in Katni district but PHE minister clarifies Katni district is not drought-hit. So it is pathetic condition at administration level. Previously, 450 hand pumps were sanctioned but now it has reduced to 100 while actually it should be increased to 600 hand pumps in Katni district. Over 50 per cent hand pumps have dried up.”
Denish Rai Munmum said, “PHE should start construction of small stop dams as it will help maintain the ground water level and solve the water crisis through Nal-Jal Yojana.” Mukesh Chaudhary of the BJP said, “Many hand pumps have dried up in my constituency. There are two rivers—Besli and Jhilmil. So PHE department should take initiatives for pipe-water supply through Nal-Jal Yojana.”
Bahadoor Singh of the BJP said, “Nal Jal Yojana has failed just because many agencies are assigned work. Some construct overhead tanks, while others work for pipe lines and digging work. There is no coordination among the working agencies and even work is not perfect as many cooks spoil the broth. So PHE department should tender out entire work to one agency instead of multiple agencies.”
