The poignant story of water scarcity–hit Vidarbha by P. Sainath (No water under the bridge here, May 4) brings out the glaring inequalities in our social classes, the wrong priorities in our developmental programmes and our tacit acceptance of the lack of basic necessities as an inevitable part of Indian life. How else does one explain the huge allocations but non-implementation of the water projects and the plentiful availability of manpower but under-utilisation of the MNREGS?
The Centre has enacted the Right To Education Act and a Food Security Act too is in the pipeline. Isn't it prudent to enact a WSA (Water Security Act) that guarantees the quenching of thirst and sustenance of agricultural livelihood to poor rural families like those in Vidarbha even before ensuring food and education?
K.R. Kamath,
Mangalore
