Jiribam, January 12 2010: Come the dry season, the people of Jiribam sub-division in Imphal East district have always been at the receiving end due to acute shortage of potable water as the Public Health Engineering Health Department in the sub-division is existing only in name.

In fact, the existence of the Department in Jiribam is almost being forgotten by the public who are depending wholly on Jiri river for survival as the ponds and wells have dried up.

One interesting feature of Jiri PHED is that the water taps of the Department function during monsoon when there is abundant water and the taps remain shut during dry season in winter when water is needed most.

Though Jiri PHED has been upgraded to the status of division, there is nothing to cheer about as not a single drop of water has been received by the people during this dry season.

It may be recalled here that Jiri PHED was elevated to the status of division by PHE Minister TN Haokip on July 2, 2008 .

During an independent survey by The Sangai Express, it came to light that 40 HP water pump of PHED installed at Kamranga is a weak and outdated one which is not able to suck the water from Jiri river and store in reservoir located at New Alipur from where the water is supposed to be supplied to tap connected households of Jiri.

Joynul Haque, one of the pump operators, informed that the failure to supply water to the people properly is due to the outdated 40 HP water pump which is still in use.

At least a 65 HP water pumps is required to supply water efficiently, he added.

During a recent visit to the PHED Division office located near Jiri Railway Station, with exception to the peon cum chowkidar, rest of the staff were found absent.

Some playing cards were also seen on the table of the office indicating that the erring employees spend their time gambling during their rare visit to the office.

The chowkidar confided that he has been looking after the affairs of the office in the absence of his superiors most of the time.

One social activist of Jiri, Sarat Sharma rued that the PHED of Jiri is a total failure and suggested closure of the non-functional Department which exists only on file, Echoing the same sentiment, another social activist N Priyobarta complained that the erring employees of Jiri PHED have been minting money by making namesake ringwells in some rural areas of Jiri instead of supplying water to the people starved people of Jiri whose houses are connected with taps.

It is high time for the authorities concerned to ponder over the failure of Jiri PHED office and initiate necessary steps to serve its purpose.

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