Villagers protest against illegal water suppliers

Villagers protest against illegal water suppliers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 16, 2012: The people of Pajeer and Kairangala organized a protest in front of the DC’s office on April 16 Monday, demanding that sale of water must be banned in these regions as they are facing severe scarcity of water.

The protest was held under the leadership of Kairangala Pajeer Gramagala Sarvajanika Hitharakshana Vedike.

 

 

The protestors demanded that action must be taken against water businesses that draw water from bore wells, store it in private tanks, and then sell it in various places through their tankers.

The said that the business of digging bore wells and drawing water started two years back, resulting in severe shortage of water in these villages, owing to which people have to struggle for even drinking water. 

Owing to the large number of educational institutions, industrial units, and corporate units in the vicinity, the population of these areas has gone up over the past few years, increasing the demand for water and leading to acute shortage of water. Moreover, the place is home to several farmers, Ashraya colonies, and residential areas constructed under the Navagrama schemes meant for people belonging to the SC, ST, and backward class communities. 

The protestors pointed fingers of blame at private water companies such as Kaveri Pure Drinking Water Supplies, Saurabha Water Supplies, Manjunatha Water Supplies, Coastal Water Supplies, Sunshine Water Supplies, Bhagirathi Water Supplies, and others that are engaged in water business. Owing to the activities of these companies, water level in the bore wells and open wells of Pajir and Kairangala has gone down and the farm land has become dry, leading to scarcity of water for drinking and agricultural purposes. 

When the issue was brought to the DC’s attention two years back, he had ordered the Geological and Mining Department to conduct an enquiry. When the department confirmed that the underground water level in villages has gone down because of the water business activities, the district administration seized tankers involved in transporting water. However, the businessmen challenged the decision in civil court and brought an injunction order. The Vedike says that although the injunction order called for continuation of status quo, water traders continued their business in three days. 

The Vedike also complained that the Konaje police did not take action against the culprits although they lodged a complaint in this regard. They alleged that water businessmen are using money power to plunder natural resources and are least bothered about the plight of the local people. 

The protestors urged the district administration to curb illegal water trade and demanded that authorities should not provide permission to dig bore wells for commercial purposes.