The wait of the Thekkumbhagom Ambedkar Gramam in Kavalam for water even for primary needs is continuing, with orders issued by the district administration now turning out to be mere promises rather than solid action.
The plight of the Ambedkar village, comprising about 40 scheduled caste families, was highlighted in these columns on November 17, and the same day, Revenue Divisional Officer A. Gopakumar submitted a report to the District Collector, pointing out that the situation in the village was critical. Mr. Gopakumar had suggested immediate supply of 2000 litres of water on a daily basis to the village using the Revenue department’s resources, following which the Collector issued orders to the Kuttanad Tahsildar as well.
The village was upbeat with the assurance from the district machinery that they would get 2000 litres every day, but then, with no signs of the water even after two days, the village’s development council approached the RDO, who directed them to the Collector.
Village development council chairman K.S. Shyju and convener D. Vinod say that the Collector told them that there were no funds available as of now to implement the RDO’s recommendation and that the Kerala Water Authority had been asked to look into the issue.
“We have been given the same kind of promises earlier too. The District Panchayat, on the other hand, has said it will do something about a bore-well in two weeks,” Mr. Shyju said.
On the other hand, the situation in the village, where its only sources of water were contaminated after the polder council of the nearby Kizhakumpuram paddy polder administered pesticide to get rid of hay and weeds, is turning worse with the farmers allegedly administering another round of the pesticide on Monday.
Mr. Vinod said the farmers had violated an agreement reached between the village and the paddy polder council in front of the panchayats that no more pesticide would be used.
Alleging that the district machinery was taking them for a ride with shallow promises, the village development council said it would soon launch an agitation in front of the RDO office, during which they will also press for completion of the road to the village. The absence of a proper road had resulted in the death of a person due to snakebite when the villagers could not take him to a hospital in time, they said.
