Arunachal PHE in deep waters

[karira]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=articleheader>Arunachal PHE in deep waters

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=articleauthor>OUR CORRESPONDENT</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story align=left>

Itanagar, June 15: Accusing the Arunachal Pradesh public health engineering and water supply departments of “gross irregularities” in utilisation of funds, a state-based non-governmental organisation held the two departments responsible for acute water crisis in the capital town and suburban areas.

Chairman of Human Rig-hts of Arunachal, Kipa Kaha, today said in a statement that the misappropriation of funds came to light only after the NGO sought the help of the Right to Information Act to ascertain the amount of funds utilised through the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes.

“Given the amount of funds released for implementing projects, the state should not have any drinking water crisis. Deaths relating to water-borne diseases could have been prevented had the PHE department utilised the funds properly,” Kaha said.

He said that the RTI information revealed that the Centre had allocated Rs 19,382.97 crore for various schemes, including the Arunachal Rural Water Supply Project and Urb-an Water Supply Project and had also released Rs 361.59 crore under Arunachal Urban Water Supply Project during 2004-05. The NGO said despite receiving funds for ensuring proper supply of drinking water, the state was facing a shortage.

This forced the people to depend on natural sources of water, which posed health hazards.

Condemning the PHE department for improper utilisation of funds, the NGO urged the government to crack the whip on corrupt officials as well as constitute a committee to curb misuse of funds meant for providing basic amenities to the people.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Northeast