Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ram Chandra Khuntia (Cong) said several states including Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Bihar were facing the problem.
The situation was critical in some parts of Odisha like Jashpur, Bhadrak and Cuttack, he said adding, the state government claims to have ensured drinking water supply to 1,41,928 identified habitats, which is not correct.
He alleged that the state government failed to utilise the funds sanctioned by the Centre in this regard as only Rs 214.83 crore was spent out of Rs 322 crore last year.
Even funds under MPLAD scheme were not utilised properly in the states, he said, adding he had given funds for installation of 84 tubewells in Jashpur, from his quota but in vain.
Stressing the need to ensure proper utilisation of funds by the states, he said, "I do urge the Centre to give adequate funds to states."
Raising another issue of ground water contamination, Shantaram Naik (Cong) drew the attention of the House towards severe health problems like cancer on account of this and demanded immediate steps to check it.
Reports indicate that ground water is contaminated with fluoride, arsenic, lead and chromium which are not only causing severe disorders of nervous system and other body parts but were also causing cancer.
In the states like Goa, even coastal water has been affected due to heavy flow of tourists while mining in many parts was impacting ground water, he said and demanded adequate steps to check water contamination. PTI NAM AMR SMI
