Tired of the persisting drinking water problem, residents of Nittur village in Gubbi taluk, Tumakuru, locked down the gram panchayat office and demanded a permanent solution to the issue. The village has been getting water in the public tap once a week.
District convenor of Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, Nittur Rangaswamy said that Maruthinagar and Harjan Colony were getting water only once a week. He alleged that Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) Mohan Kumar has turned a deaf ear to their repeated requests to address the problem.
The protesters also highlighted the issue of uncleared garbage and said many had contracted victor-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Chikungunya as a result. Garbage mounds in Harijan Colony has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, Mr. Rangaswamy said, adding that the drainage has also not been cleaned.
Bribe
Accusing the PDO of demanding money from the beneficiaries of Indira Awas Yojana or Ashraya housing scheme, Mr. Rangaswamy said the PDO is asking anywhere between for ₹ 500 to ₹1000 from each beneficiary who is constructing a house under the schemes for taking a photograph of the site and submitting it to the government, which is a prerequisite to avail the financial benefit.
Food for agitators
Meanwhile, Bisi bele bath was cooked in front of the office and distributed among the protesters.
