Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

The poll makes no difference to Periatalai villagers

By R. Rajaram

TUTICORIN Feb. 12. Political parties expect that the Sattankulam Assembly byelection will be a turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, but it does not seem to have evoked the same enthusiasm in Periatalai.

The villagers have seen many an election and heard assurances given by the contesting parties during campaigns, but nothing seems to have changed significantly for Periatalai, which is plagued by a host of problems.

With a population of nearly 8,000, about 3,500 of the villagers voters, Periatalai is the only coastal village in the constituency. Fishing is the main activity. But, in the absence of adequate basic amenities, it's a daily battle for the fishermen at Periatalai, where Christians are in a majority. Ask the villagers and they come out with a list of their problems. The foremost is drinking water problem, which has been persisting for nearly 15 years now. With well water not potable and a steep decline in groundwater table, the villagers have been paying for tanker supply for years.

According to the villagers, they shell out Rs 10,000 a day for buying water. The fishermen feel the pinch, especially during the period March-June, when there is no fish catching, says Dhanasingh, a teacher in the village.

The villagers have been demanding a permanent drinking water facility or supply under the Sattankulam Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme. But this demand has not been met, they say.

There is only a health sub-centre and, in the absence of a hospital, the villagers have to go to either Udangudi or Tiruchendur for treatment.

Another age-old demand is for construction of a hooked breakwater from the coast into the sea to ensure the safety of the fishermen and enable smooth fishing.

This apart, the fishermen have been seeking a subsidy for kerosene which, they claim, has been stopped for over a decade now, and an increase the age-limit for fishermen obtaining assistance during the lean season. They complain that they have not received the grant given for maintenance of group houses.

The villagers squarely fault the parties which, "neglected" Periatalai for several years. For us proper drinking water, hospital facilities, construction of a hooked breakwater matter more, says R. Vennila, member of a self-help group.

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