Polls add to drought woes in Malda

TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Malda: The polls have added to the troubles of the millions of drought-hit people of Malda and South Dinajpur as under the model code of conduct, no new schemes can be taken up till the election is over. District magistrate Sridhar Ghosh conceded that due to the lack of rainfall, the condition is getting worse by the day in blocks like Habibpur, Old Malda and Bamangola. “I’ve sought a report on the drought from the blocks,” he said. In fact, the stretch between Tapan and Balurghat in South Dinajpur is perhaps the worst sufferer as it has received no rainfall in several months. Crops on around 5,000 acres will be destroyed due to the lack of water. Worse, the villagers are suffering an acute drinking water crisis. More than 5,000 voters of Habibpur and Bamangola have given a poll boycott call, demanding water and power. The villagers of Aiho in Habibpur block also blocked a road two days back. Two booths of Bamangola — Chhatia and Anaharpara — and four of Habibpur have already submitted their memorandum to the administration. Rajesh Kerketta, BDO of Habibpur, conceded that though the villagers’ demand is legitimate, they can do nothing before the election. “We are trying to convince them against the boycott,” he said. Bamangola BDO Anjan Ghosh admitted that the condition was serious. “The drought situation this year is perhaps the worst in recent years and if there is no immediate rainfall, it will go beyond control,” he said.