TURA, Feb 27: The weeklong protest by the unpaid employees of the GHADC has resulted in some localities of Tura facing an acute water shortage due to refusal to attend to duties by staff manning the reservoirs.
In the face of public complaints over the drinking water shortage, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, has imposed Essential Service Maintenance Act, 1981 prohibiting any strike related to supply of water and other essential services to households in Tura town.
The order to this effect was issued by the District Magistrate on Saturday to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply of water to the residents of Tura after it was brought to his notice that certain union of GHADC, Tura has been abstaining from work and stopped supply of water to some localities falling under their jurisdiction which is a gross violation of the fundamental right of the citizens.
The District Magistrate has also promulgated Section 144 CrPC prohibiting any person or group of persons disturbing supply of water to households of various localities in Tura.
He has further directed the EE, PHE, Tura Division to ensure supply of water to the affected localities as per requisite schedule with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the striking Non-Gazette Employees Association has also announced that they will be withdrawing the strike pertaining to water supply and those manning the reservoirs have been asked to return to their stations.