Here, Dalits are still denied water
Here, Dalits are still denied water
Here, Dalits are still denied water
31 Jul 2008, 0609 hrs IST, Vijaysinh Parmar ,TNN
JETPARDA (WANKANER): People particularly in Saurashtra rejoice after
the second spell of the long awaited rain. But this fresh water can't
quench thirst of the Dalits in the Jetparda village of Wankaner taluka
in Rajkot district. Caste discrimination still haunts Dalits in this
village, where many a time they have to go thirsty as they are left
with no option.
"We have drinking water pipelines in our village and most of the
villagers fetch water from the water tapes. But for Dalits there is a
separate water tap, which is being blocked many time. Also we are
allowed to take water only when others have got enough to quench their
thirst,'' says Damaji Parmar, a Dalit and a member of the Gram
Panchayat .
"Just a month ago, during my daughter's marriage I had to purchase
water from a private supplier as I did not get sufficient water from
village,'' adds Parmar .
"Villagers have to rely only on government for their drinking water
needs as ground water is extremely saline here. But we often prefer
drinking the saline water or have to go at least 2 km to fetch
drinking water. Also if there is water in a well, Dalits have to wait
for other villagers as we can't touch their wells," says Mina Parmar,
who is one of the 2,000 odd villagers of Jetparda. According to
Parmar, many Dalit families are suffering from water related disease
as they end up drinking contaminated water.
Dalits from the village say that they have even given applications to
the concerned government authority over the discrimination done to
them but still no action has been taken so far.
When contacted, said work assistant, Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage
Board (Wankaner ) P N Chikaliya, "The drinking water problem of Dalits
in Jetparda will be solved shortly. We have already mooted a proposal
so that Dalits get a proper water supply.''
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