Gujarat asks Collectors to supply drinking water by tanker

The Gujarat government has asked all district collectors to supply drinking water through tankers anywhere in their territory. The government took the decision as April has arrived and the state is facing a water shortage following the less inflow from river Narmada. The state government, however, claims that no village in the state is dependent on water tankers till date.

The minister of state for water supply, Parbat Patel said, "We are not necessitated to supply water through tankers to any village in the state till now and local sources are capable of catering to demands. But we have asked Collectors to be ready to supply drinking water through tankers wherever needed. We had a meeting with MLAs from some districts of Saurashtra today and have assured them that there will not be any water shortage in their areas."

The MLAs from Bhavnagar Zone falling under the Narmada Yojana were called for the meeting to present the situation of drinking water availability in their areas. MLAs from both parties from Bhavnagar, Botad, Amreli, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Porbandar, Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts were present at the meeting.

Patel said, "The MLAs have given us several instructions to avail water from local sources in case the existing source drys up. We have assessed the feasibility of such an alternative through consultation with officials of water resources and water supply department. Some of the Congress members also praised the planning of state government for water supply."

Congress MLA from Lathi Virji Thumar said, "We have demanded 70 litres per capita per day water as prescribed by the government. At present, local authorities supply 40 litres of water per day. The minister's approach was positive towards our demands and we are satisfied with that. The government has indeed made advance planning for water supply and has allotted additional Rs 200 crore for water supply in Saurashtra region and that is good enough."

Several senior MLAs, including ministers RC Faldu, Saurabh Patel, Parshottam Solanki and Vibhavari Dave, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and leader of opposition in assembly Paresh Dhanani, skipped the important meeting.

Congress MLA from Visavadar Harshad Ribadiya and Savar Kundla MLA Pratap Dudhat lashed out at the government on water supply issues. They complained that the Gujarat government failed to meet the demands of interior rural areas including hamlets in Gir forest. They also showed concern for the Asiatic lions in the sanctuaries where water bodies are drying up.

CONG MLAS LASH OUT AT GOVT

• Congress MLA from Visavadar Harshad Ribadiya and Savar Kundla MLA Pratap Dudhat lashed out at the government on water supply issues. They complained that the Gujarat government failed to meet the demands of interior rural areas