Dabugaan: The drinking water supply system in Dabugaan Panchayat is in complete disarray. The employees working under the water supply project are neglecting their duties and failing to perform their responsibilities properly.
Despite repeated complaints from residents of Patra Sahi, Bajardanda, Gouda Sahi, Ribini Sahi, and Harijan Sahi to the Dabugaan Panchayat, no solution has been provided. When locals question the responsible employees about the irregular water supply, they are met with excuses. One employee reportedly responded, “My salary is low. If the residents of a locality need water, they should contribute money.”
It has been alleged that water is being released only after residents pay bribes, and those who don’t pay are denied access. Moreover, the hand pumps in the localities have been out of order for months, with no repairs being done unless residents raise funds themselves. This is despite the fact that the government provides free resources for hand pump repairs, a fact that remains unknown to most locals.
The employees in charge of the Dabugaan water supply system are reportedly taking advantage of this lack of awareness, exploiting villagers for money. Since Panchayat officials have taken no action to address the drinking water crisis, locals demand that block and district administration conduct an immediate investigation. They believe that appointing a dedicated and accountable official to oversee the Dabugaan Panchayat’s water supply will help resolve the ongoing crisis.