In Valvihir village of Igatpuri taluka, women marched to the Gram Panchayat under the leadership of Bhagwan Madhe, president of Elgar Kashtari Sanghatana, demanding water in the scorching summer. The work of the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme to supply water to 12 villages and padas within the limits of this Gram Panchayat was completed last year for Rs 1.20 crore. However, even after a year, there is no water in the tap here.
“A month has passed since the proposal to supply water by tanker to the Tehsildars and Group Development Officers for drinking water was made, but still, as water was not received, the women aggressively took out a 'handa morcha' under the leadership of Elgar Kashtari Sanghatana and staged a sit-in protest directly in front of the Gram Panchayat office. School children, women, villagers and school students also participated in this protest," informed Madhe.
He added, “Tehsildar Abhijit Baravkar and Group Development Officer Mahesh Walvi had come to the village eight days ago, inspected the well and left. Even after that, women have to get up early in the morning and walk three to four kilometres to fetch water. While officials are saying that the work of the Jal Jeevan Mission has been completed, the question now arises as to where exactly the water of this scheme is being wasted without reaching the suffering citizens here.”
A heartbreaking picture is emerging from Igatpuri taluka that the slogan of 'Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal' has vanished into thin air after spending lakhs and crores of rupees. Notably, the Waki Khapri dam is located near this gram panchayat.
