Rajendra Singh to protest for Water Security Act

Demanding a Water Security Act that would provide equal amount of drinking water supply for all, waterman Rajendra Singh has decided to sit in ‘satyagraha’ (protest) in districts that are reeling under drought in more than 11 states across the country. The Satyagraha will start on May 1 from Latur in Maharashtra and will end on May 5 at the national capital. People will be urged by the Satyagrahi to do shramdan (self-work) and commit to rainwater harvesting.

Mr Singh visited the office of The Asian Age on Tuesday and shared his experience of his tour to drought-affected Marathwada region of the state. He said that he has spent maximum time in Maharashtra in the last one year. He said he has personally met more than 280 collectors and appealed to them to identify water bodies that have been encroached upon, demark and notify them.

“Some of them prepared a report just to show off. Finally, we have decided to organise Satyagraha from May 1 to 5 which will begin from Latur in Maharashtra and conclude in Delhi on May 5. We will travel through 11 drough-hit states and will hold satyagraha at each district,” he said.

He insisted that the drought was manmade and not natural. Natural drought happens when there is no rain, but here in Maharashtra, more than 50 per cent rainfall has been recorded.

He said that he would try to bring in a Jal Suraksha Adhiniyam (Water Security Act) which would provide equal amount of drinking water to all. He also appealed to all citizens, communities and social organisation to come together on May 1, Labour Day, and take custody of all public rainwater harvesting infrastructure. They should do ‘shramdan’ (self-work) to ensure their commitment to the ‘rainwater harvesting movement’.