Latest news with #RuralWaterSupplyandSanitation
India.com
01-08-2025
- India.com
Odisha Peon Arrested For Serving Urine Instead Of Drinking Water To Senior Official
New Delhi: In a bizarre incident from Odisha's Gajapati district, a government employee has been arrested for allegedly handing over a bottle containing urine instead of drinking water to his senior official. The incident has sparked outrage and prompted an official investigation into the motive behind the act. The accused, identified as Siba Narayan Nayak, was employed as a peon at the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Department. The incident reportedly took place on the night of July 23 at the department's office in R Udayagiri, where Nayak and his senior, Assistant Executive Engineer Sachin Gouda, were working late hours. According to reports by India Today, Gouda had asked Nayak to bring him a bottle of drinking water. However, Nayak allegedly handed him a bottle filled with urine. Unaware of the contents and occupied with his work, Gouda drank from the bottle. Shortly afterward, he began to feel uneasy and noticed something was off about the liquid. As his condition worsened, Gouda became increasingly suspicious. He was soon admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for medical treatment. In the meantime, a sample of the liquid was sent for laboratory testing. The lab report revealed an abnormally high concentration of ammonia in the fluid, indicating contamination and strongly suggesting it contained urine. After recovering from the incident, Gouda filed a formal police complaint. He also mentioned that two other staff members who had consumed water from the same source had raised concerns about its unusual taste and quality. Based on Gouda's complaint and the lab findings, the police took Nayak into custody for questioning. Following the interrogation, he was arrested. The local police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and an investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the act. Authorities are also looking into whether the incident was premeditated or the result of gross negligence or personal animosity. Further developments are awaited as the investigation continues.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Two more persons die of diarrhoea
Bhubaneswar: Two more persons died of diarrhoea in Jajpur district, with over 200 people still undergoing treatment, officials said on Sunday. With this, seven persons have died in the outbreak, which was first reported on June 9, Additional District Medical Officer (ADMO) Prakash Chandra Bal said. Over 1,500 people were diagnosed with diarrhoea in the district, and 1,300 of them have recovered, officials said. 'The situation is yet to be brought under control. When no new patients are admitted to the hospital, we will be able to control it,' Director of Public Health Nilakantha Mishra said. Adding to the worries, 11 diarrhoea patients were found positive for cholera, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Bijay Mishra said. Samples of 21 of the around 200 people at present undergoing treatment were sent for cholera testing, he said. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) teams are disinfecting drinking water sources in the district, while food inspectors and disease surveillance teams are also working to bring the situation under control, officials said. ASHA and Anganwadi workers and health workers have been supplied with halogen tablets and ORS packets for distribution among the people. People have been advised to take all precautionary measures, avoid eating food outside and adhere to hygienic practices. Diarrhoea cases have also been detected in parts of Cuttack district and Astaranga in Puri district. Over 30 people were diagnosed with diarrhoea at Gholapur village in Cuttack, and 20 people were affected in Astaranga. Medical teams have been sent to those areas to tackle the situation.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
2 more die of diarrhoea in Odisha's Jajpur, central team reaches district to assess situation
Bhubaneswar, Two more persons died in the diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha's Jajpur district, with over 200 people still undergoing treatment, officials said on Sunday. With this, seven people have died in the outbreak, which was first reported on June 9, Additional District Medical Officer Prakash Chandra Bal said. Over 1,500 people were diagnosed with diarrhoea in the district, and 1,300 of them have recovered, officials said. "The situation is yet to be brought under control. When no new patients are admitted to the hospital, we will be able to control it," Director of Public Health Nilakantha Mishra said. Adding to the worries, 11 diarrhoea patients were found positive for cholera, Chief District Medical Officer Bijay Mishra said. Samples of 21 of the around 200 people at present undergoing treatment were sent for cholera testing, he said. A 14-member central team has reached the district to assess the ground situation, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said. He visited various hospitals in the district during the day and interacted with patients and doctors. "It is a matter of concern for us that cholera has been detected in Jajpur. A team from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has been deployed in the district. We are trying to bring the situation under control," he told reporters. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation teams are disinfecting drinking water sources in the district, while food inspectors and disease surveillance teams are also working to bring the situation under control, officials said. ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and health workers have been supplied with halogen tablets and ORS packets for distribution among the people, they said. People have been advised to take all precautionary measures, avoid having outside foods, and adhere to hygienic practices, they said. Diarrhoea cases have also been detected in parts of the Cuttack district and the Astaranga area in Puri district, officials said. Over 30 people were diagnosed with diarrhoea in Gholapur village in Cuttack, and 20 people were affected in Puri's Astaranga, they said. Medical teams have been sent to those areas to tackle the situation, they added.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Water crisis sparks protests in villages
Kendrapada: People from five villages in Kendrapada district's Aul block staged protests on Monday at the block office and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) pump house, demanding immediate restoration of water supply that has been disrupted for the past 45 days. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Villagers from Mendhapur, Kalapahad, Kajisahi, Talasahi, and Rasulpur first gathered at the Kalapahada pump house before staging a dharna at the block office. They staged the protest as a non-functional water pump has left thousands without regular water supply. "Despite significant investments in bore wells and motors, the pump house became defunct last month," said Parwini Bibi of Kajisahi village. Residents are now forced to travel long distances carrying water containers in scorching heat. Sabyasachi Rout, a Mendhapur resident, highlighted that water scarcity has become a recurring summer crisis. "The department's negligence has become routine, and no permanent solution has been implemented despite repeated complaints," he added. The protesters have given officials a seven-day ultimatum to restore regular water supply. "If our demands are not met, we will launch a bigger protest," warned Rijwan Bibi of Talasahi. Responding to the situation, RWSS executive engineer Basant Nayak cited depleted groundwater levels as the primary cause. "We are currently supplying water through tankers to affected areas," he said. Nayak also mentioned that a mega piped water supply project under Basudha Yojana is underway and expected to be completed this year. The crisis has particularly affected women who are forced to walk long distances for water. "It's extremely difficult to carry water containers on our heads and shoulders in this heat," said Madhabi Jena from Rasulpur village. Local authorities have assured the villagers that remedial measures will be taken promptly to address the situation.
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Road blockade over safe drinking water demand in Odisha's Marsaghai
KENDRAPARA: Residents of several villages in Marsaghai blocked the Haladiagada-Patkura road at Sasinipada here demanding safe drinking water on Tuesday. The agitators, mostly women, blocked the movement of vehicles including buses on the road for around four hours alleging irregular supply of drinking water and delay in repair of defunct tube-wells in Talasanga, Sasinipada, Garajanga, Kharadasahi, Kurapala, Berua and other villages under Marsaghai block. The villagers also took out a rally demanding regular supply of water. Smitarani Jena (29) of Sasinipada village claimed, 'We have been facing erratic water supply since long. Despite taking up the issue with the officials concerned several times in the past, no steps have been taken to resolve the water crisis.' The protest would be intensified if the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department fails to provide water to the villages through tankers everyday, she warned. Sources said a Rs 241 crore mega drinking water supply project, the foundation stone of which was laid in 2018, is yet to be completed. The ambitious project aims to provide water to 148 villages under 26 gram panchayats in Mahakalapada block and 52 villages of 16 gram panchayats in Marsaghai.
