Kisan Sabha takes up cudgels against water crisis in district
ALLAHABAD: All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS) has launched a campaign against the acute crisis of potable water in the city and trans-Yamuna area. On Sunday, the Sabha accused the district administration of apathy and blamed state government of pursuing a water management policy that was anti-people.
AIKMS general secretary Raj Kumar Pathik said that humans and animals both were forced to consume dirty water in villages. Accusing government of favouring water merchants, he said people were being deprived of drinking water to benefit MNCs selling water and cold drinks. He claimed that Yamuna had already receded in the city and the Sangam had shifted several metres towards the fort.
He warned that as the downstream river bed had already dried up, city would face an acute water crisis in future. He also said that farmers who depend on canals for irrigation too would suffer. Accusing the administration of hiding facts under the garb of secrecy, he said that it was not even ready to share the projects that had been approved by the state and Central governments. Allahabad city draws seven million litres of water from the Yamuna every day. Decrease in Yamuna water will lead to more pressure on tube wells which in turn would reduce the water table and dry up of handpumps, said Pathik.
AIKMS has severely criticized the government for non-maintenance of ponds in rural and urban areas.
More than 95% of the ponds have dried up. Many ponds have been encroached upon by big landlords and mafia.
AIKMS has demanded removal of encroachment from ponds and lakes and its proper maintenance. It also demanded that a plan be chalked out to recharge all ponds during monsoon.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Kisan-Sabha-takes-up-cudgels-against-water-crisis-in-district/articleshow/20020604.cms
AIKMS general secretary Raj Kumar Pathik said that humans and animals both were forced to consume dirty water in villages. Accusing government of favouring water merchants, he said people were being deprived of drinking water to benefit MNCs selling water and cold drinks. He claimed that Yamuna had already receded in the city and the Sangam had shifted several metres towards the fort.
He warned that as the downstream river bed had already dried up, city would face an acute water crisis in future. He also said that farmers who depend on canals for irrigation too would suffer. Accusing the administration of hiding facts under the garb of secrecy, he said that it was not even ready to share the projects that had been approved by the state and Central governments. Allahabad city draws seven million litres of water from the Yamuna every day. Decrease in Yamuna water will lead to more pressure on tube wells which in turn would reduce the water table and dry up of handpumps, said Pathik.
AIKMS has severely criticized the government for non-maintenance of ponds in rural and urban areas.
More than 95% of the ponds have dried up. Many ponds have been encroached upon by big landlords and mafia.
AIKMS has demanded removal of encroachment from ponds and lakes and its proper maintenance. It also demanded that a plan be chalked out to recharge all ponds during monsoon.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Kisan-Sabha-takes-up-cudgels-against-water-crisis-in-district/articleshow/20020604.cms