IMPHAL, April 25: The Janata Dal United JD (U) demands immediate relief of acute shortage of water in the state by initiate a long term water policy with immediate effect said Moirangthem Tombi President JD (U) today.
Addressing the media at the premises of JD (U) office, Babupara this afternoon, Tombi alleged that the government is responsible for water crisis facing now in the state.
The government must know that more jungle means more water. He said due to less attention toward hills people regarding their practice of fermentation of bamboo buds and preparation of charcoal as their livelihood, the forest in the jungle are diminished.
There is no alternative means to substitute Jhum cultivation and other preparation of fermentation and charcoal. Even roots of trees have been uprooted for the charcoal which causes deforestation and global warming.
In such situation state government have to take up immediate policy as demand from JD (U) to initiate state action plan on climate changes, state forest policy, state land used policy and a long term state water policy to ensure the preservation and harvesting of rain water by state government.
The unsafe water found in state has possibility of spreading water bond disease.
Tombi alleged PHE Minister that only words can’t remove the thirst of the poor people. If there is any plan to ration water to people, ration immediately weather from Loktak Lake or Underground water. The water shortage will affect only the poor people, the rich can buy water even at high cost. Instead of carrying out political war, focus on the public grievances, he said
The Outer candidate of LS poll from JD (U) Len Gangte said that due to ecological impact at the global level, Manipur too is facing global warming related climate changes. He asked where those water management programmes implemented from the centre have gone. The funds are misused by contracts works meant for water management programme. Besides the water problem, he also alleged the ruling government of practicing proxy voting in the recent election.