Untouchablity still in practice

Dalits desperate for drinking water, uppercastes monopolise well

The common wells in the village are reserved only for the upper castes and the dalits are forbidden from drawing water from the well.

The dalits have to wait for long hours before a member of the uppercaste takes pity and pours out a couple of pots of water for them. That too it can happen only if the dalits beg them with all humility and not otherwise.

Sometimes the dalits have to sit for the entire day before someone takes pity and pours out a pot of water and sometimes we go without a single pot of water says Durugamma.

Though untouchability is banned, it is only on paper as the tahsildar, social welfare officials and even the police officials have turned a blind eye to the inhuman attitude of the uppercastes in this village.

Many a conscientious citizens do express the negligent attitude of the village administration in taking action against such practices. But nothing has been done so far to eradicate it.

Temporary supply

Four months ago there was an outbreak of gastro-enteritis in the village and the entire population had to be treated at the Salagunda primary health centre, public and private hospitals. The gram panchayat and Panchayat Raj officials made temporary arrangements to supply water and did not bother to think of permanent solution to the problem.

Rs 8 lakh in bank

Under the Employment Guarantee programme, an amount of Rs 8 lakh has been reserved for providing drinking water to the village. The Gram Panchayat officials announced a year ago that a piece of land has been purchased for the construction of a tank. However there is no progress on the project till now.

The villagers are of the opinion that the in-fighting between the leaders and their selfishness is the reason for the project not taking off. 

A group of youth and organisations have come together to stage a protest against the negligent attitude of the officials on May 25.  They are planning to gherao the gram panchayat office, demanding immediate action.