Berhampur/ Bhubaneswar, May 1: It comes as a big slap on the BJD government's face as a tribal youth, with money he earned working as a migrant worker outside the state, managed to resolve the drinking water problem of his co-villagers in Ganjam district, the home turf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while the government failed to make the basic provision in the 24 years of rule.

Thanks to Bhima Behera, who has created a water supply system for co-villagers at Sindhupanka village of Surangi panchayat under Patrapur block in Ganjam district.

A long pipe has been laid through the rock. Water tanks have been installed at strategic points. And from there the drinking water reaches the people of the village. This way, Bhim Behera has relieved the hardships of the people of his village who have been struggling for drinking water for decades.

He worked as a migrant labourer in Kerala for six months. With his hard-earned money, Bhim has saved drinking water for the people of the village. The people of the village, who used to go out for water, now get drinking water at their doorsteps 24 hours a day.

"The BJD government, which has been ruling the State for the last 24 years should take Bhima's effort as a slap in its face. Naveen Patnaik has been representing Ganjam district for 28 years. He has been the Chief Minister for 24 years but, unfortunately, he has not been able to provide drinking water for the people of his district, said Laxminarayan Pradhan," a villager.

While there is no permanent road to the Sindhup village, the people of this village are deprived of the basic facilities of electricity, education, and health. "This is the development being claimed by the BJD government," ridiculed Malati Nayak, another villager.

Not only Sindhupanka village, but the entire Odisha is desperate for water on a sunny day. People have expressed resentment in different places. During the election campaigning, BJD leaders are facing harrowing situations as villagers raise the issue before them.

At an election rally in Rairakhol, people asked BJD senior vice-president Prasanna Acharya why the government had not taken any initiative to supply drinking water to them. While they said they would cast a vote only when the water problem is solved, Prasanna got infuriated and hurled unjustified replies at them.

A few days ago, Badri Patra was surrounded by women for water. He was baffled at the questions put by the women of Keshdurapal village in Anandpur sub-division. Women bring 'Chua' water from the nearby Kushei River for consumption of their family members.

Recently another incident came to the fore with people keeping empty pots, pitchers, and buckets in front of the house of MLA Purna Swain at Surada in Ganjam district.

"People are not getting drinking water as the BJD government didn't have will to make the basic provision in the last 24 years," pointed out Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

"Is this the transformation of Odisha that happened in the 25 years of BJD rule," asked Pradhan.

He slammed the Naveen Patnaik government for failing to use Central funds for the purpose.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Rs 10,207 crore to provide clean drinking water to every household in Odisha. However, the State government has utilized only Rs 800 crore. This is the efficiency of the Naveen Government," ridiculed the Union Minister.

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