Amit Raj, Kudu Lohardaga:
Under the Chief Minister Tap Water Scheme, government funds have been misused in the construction of solar based water towers installed for drinking water in various panchayats of the block with the funds of the 14th Finance Commission. While Rs 2 lakh 49 thousand to Rs 3 lakh 84 thousand have been spent on the construction of solar based water tower at the Panchayat level by the Mukhiyas, on the other hand, despite the installation of RO system in the construction of the water tower from the Panchayat Samiti’s account, only Rs 1 lakh has been spent. 87 thousand rupees were spent. The question arises that why different amounts were spent on the construction of the water tower despite the same estimate.
After all, while the water tower built at a cost of Rs 3 lakh 84 thousand is becoming a show piece, on the other hand, how are the common people getting pure drinking water from the water tower built at the expense of Panchayat Samiti. It is said that with the funds of the 14th Finance Commission, the heads of various Panchayats of the block were given approval for the construction of solar based water towers to provide pure drinking water to the common people during the tenure of outgoing Chief Minister Raghuvar Das. In this, a platform was to be built by installing a summersable machine in the government water pipe, making solar panels, a water tank and a structure. The work was given to preferred vendors with the connivance of the head and the Panchayat Secretary.
Gram Sabha was held on paper and the work of construction of water tower was started. The solar based water tower, built at a cost of Rs 3 lakh 84 thousand, was made responsible for its maintenance for five years, while the water tower costing Rs 2 lakh 49 thousand was left to God’s mercy. Two separate estimates were made for the construction of the water tower so that the government funds could be distributed evenly. It is said that about 18 solar based water towers were constructed in 14 panchayats of the block at a cost of Rs 2 lakh 49 thousand. Almost all the water towers remain dead assets.
About 48 solar based water towers were constructed in 14 panchayats of the block at a cost of Rs 3 lakh 84 thousand. More than half of the solar based water towers are stalled due to minor faults and lack of maintenance, which no one is going to see. Neither the head of the concerned Panchayat nor the BDO or the local public representatives are paying any attention to repairing the damaged water tower. As a result, common people are worried about drinking water. On the other hand, a water tower has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1 lakh 87 thousand in the block cum zonal office premises from the Panchayat Samiti head.
The water tower made of reeds is being operated from electricity supply, but the water tower made of reeds has an RO system installed in it. Apart from this, the entire structure has been fenced so that dirt cannot enter. In this regard, Block Panchayati Raj Officer Budheshwar Oraon said that a water tower with RO system has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1 lakh 87 thousand from the Pansus head, while funds worth Rs 3 lakh 84 thousand have been constructed in various Panchayats of the block with the funds of the 14th Finance Commission. The water tower has been constructed at cost, for this a letter was issued by the state government. The district administration has been informed about the matter.