West Bengal village which has bathrooms but no water to use it
Shuli Bona village in Saltora block of Bankura district, West Bengal, is facing an acute water crisis.
They have bathrooms constructed at their homes but they do not have water to use. The people of the village are left with no option other than going to the forest for defecation.
Shanti Murmu, a resident of the village told ANI, "We have bathrooms but tell me how shall I use it without water? What else we do other than going to the forest?"
Consisting of 400 Santhals, the village is on the verge of becoming parched with severe water shortage. Most of the women travel up to four kilometers to fetch water from the river.
However, the water crisis worsens with the onset of summer. Women have to travel even longer distances in the search for drinking water.
In Jamsola, Nodi, Luchhipur, Gidhuria and other tribal villages in Saltora, Khatra, and Taldangra blocks, the situation is similar.
Recently, TMC candidate Subrata Mukherjee was restricted to campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha polls and even enter the Lakhanpur village in Saltora block. The villagers demanded water crisis be resolved first before he starts campaigning.
"Leaders visit us only at the time of elections and assure us of a solution, however, we never see them once the elections are over," Shanti Murmu said.
Before TMC's win at the 2014 Lok Sabha constituency, CPM had ruled the district since the 1970s. However, the crucial issues like drinking water crisis, unemployment, poverty, and education still remain some of the major concerns of the locals.
CPM candidate from Bankura, Amiya Patra said," Despite efforts by the present government, water crisis persists here and the problem will continue. The water table is going down and most of the tube walls fail to work properly due to this. Underground water recharge is mandatory to improve the water level and the situation."
BJP has fielded Dr. Subhash Sarkar from Bankura Parliamentary constituency.
"I ensure to act on the water crisis with utmost importance if I win," Sarkar said.
Bankura Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 12. The counting will take place on May 23.
