PERAMBALUR: Alleging official negligence and irregularities in providing potable water to Varagur village panchayat in Veppur block for over three years, residents have urged the district collector to immediate intervene and put an end to the water woes.
Further, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) that was implemented in all nearby villages two years ago is yet to take off Varagur, rued residents. According to sources, the panchayat administration paid a total of Rs 14.16 lakh to the state government to ensure regular water supply to the Varagur village panchayat from January 2020 to March 2023. An additional sum of Rs 2.62 lakh was spent on maintenance work.
However, the residents of Varagur village comprising 500 families has yet again reached out to officials over complaints of erratic water supply which plagues their neighbourhoods. The allotment of funds saw no end to their plight as potable water continued to be supplied only once in 10 days or so, pushing the residents to draw water nearby waterbodies.
Potable water is supplied in the village through three overhead water tanks. P Ashok Kumar, a resident of Varagur, narrated the plight while carrying out household chores. "Nearly Rs 17 lakh has been spent on water taxes over the past three years. Yet, we are affected by erratic water supply. Corruption is persistent in many levels. The condition is worse for those who cannot afford to draw water from borewells.
The JJM should be launched here immediately." On March 17, 2023, residents filed a petition at the district collectorate in this regard. Though officials had then promised action, the steps required are yet to be taken, said residents.
A Kulanthaivel, another resident, said his MGNREGS job card was taken away after he refused to pay water tax over the erratic supply, resulting in loss of a regular job. When contacted, Veppur Block Development Officer R Selvakumar told TNIE, "The village is bereft of an overhead tank sufficient to store enough water. We will soon set up a large water tank, which would end the problem of erratic water supply."