Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa presented a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to S Vijay, an employee of a private water supply company, in appreciation of his timely action that saved many people in a village in Dharmapuri district from falling victims to poisoned water.
On November 9, when Vijay went to the water tank in Mettukottai village at around 4 am to release drinking water, he found a strong smell of a poisonous substance used to kill rats.
Realising that the poison might have got mixed with the water in the tank, Vijay immediately spoke to the motor operator in Thirumalvadi village from where the water comes to Mettukottai water tank and asked him to stop the supply immediately.
Vijay contacted Bikkili panchayat union president and asked him not to supply drinking water from Mettukottai tank to 11 overhead tanks. He averted a disaster with his presence of mind.
The Chief Minister, on Tuesday, presented the cash award to Vijay at the Secretariat and commended his social responsibility.
She said that his timely action had saved many people in the village. Vijay thanked the Chief Minister for recognising his effort.