Admn apathy: Flood-affected struggle to get potable water

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 11

Raising a concern over the unavailability of drinking water in flood-affected villages in the district, members of ‘Sikh Sewak Society International’ said on Wednesday that due to the negligence on the part of the administration, flood-affected residents are struggling to get potable water.

President of the organisation Parminder Singh Khalsa claimed that water discharged from polluted drains had severely contaminated the Sutlej and its repercussions were seen in flood-affected areas as every source of water had been polluted and people were forced to use dirty water for their chores.

Terming the floods as “man-made”, Khalsa said if the administration had initiated efforts in restricting the polluted water entering into the Sutlej from Chitti Ben, then people would not have suffered much. In addition, the administration was again ignoring victims as no treatment plants had been installed to purify contaminated water in villages that are still in the grip of floods.

“At a medical camp held by the organisation, over 125 patients were found suffering from skin diseases. Besides, there is a shortage of medical facilities in the flood-hit areas. Hence, the administration should also conduct fogging in the worst-hit villages,” Khalsa said.

The members also urged Sikh bodies to keep functions of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev simple and instead donate the money for the development of flood-affected villages. They announced that they would also take steps in providing free education to children in the affected areas and youngsters would be given training under various courses, which will help them get jobs.

Authorities failed to initiate efforts: society

President of Sikh Sewak Society International Parminder Singh Khalsa said if the administration had initiated efforts in restricting the polluted water entering into the Sutlej from Chitti Ben, then people would not have suffered much.