Mirzapur, 07 June (HS): “The taps are fitted, but not a

single drop of water flows out... “, Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State

for Health and Family Welfare as well as Chemicals and Fertilizers, called

authorities promptly after hearing the villagers' complaint. Hearing the

villagers' complaints in public court, the minister quickly summoned officials

from the Water Corporation and the Panchayat Department, demanding explanations

and expressing severe disapproval.

Residents of Lakhauli village, which is part of Gram

Panchayat Nauha, expressed their concerns on Sunday at a public hearing

conducted at the Member of Parliament's Public Relations Office in Bharuhana's

Sardar Patel Square. Villagers noted that while tap connections have been fixed

in every home, water delivery has yet to start.

The situation is such that residents are still forced to

search for drinking water, while other parts of the Panchayat are receiving

water. The villagers also said that despite complaining several times, the

responsible officials neither inspected the village nor took any initiative to

solve the problem.

Considering the matter serious, Union Minister Anupriya

Patel immediately spoke with the Executive Engineer of the Jal Nigam and the

District Panchayat Raj Officer over the phone to inquire about the situation.

She directed the officials to conduct a field inspection of the village within

48 hours and submit a report, and to resume water supply within seven days.

The minister stated categorically that any kind of

negligence in the Prime Minister's ambitious tap water scheme would not be

tolerated. He warned that if an investigation reveals negligence, strict action

would be taken against the concerned employees and officials. People from

various walks of life also presented their problems at the public court, and necessary

instructions were issued to the concerned departments for their resolution. BJP

and Apna Dal (S) officials, public representatives, and a large number of

citizens were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi