Laws such as RTI and RTE are empowering the citizens of this country. Similarly, we need law on right to clean drinking water and sanitation.
Our Prime Minister Modi has called upon the countrymen to have proper sanitation facilities in schools, villages, towns and cities. Cleanliness is the reflection of country’s citizen’s moral character and love for the country.
There are places in Goa and elsewhere in the country where we still need permission from the land owner’s to pass the drinking water and sanitation pipelines including construction of septic and soak pit tanks through their property. The government should introduce the law on right to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities where every citizen of this country has access to clean drinking water and sanitation pipeline including construction of septic and soak pit without the land owner’s mandatory NOC requirement.
If the countrymen are at the mercy of land owners, then we can’t say we are a developing nation. We need to rise above petty politics and sort out our priorities. We need to sensitize the land owners that basic daily needs should not be suppressed nor denied. If the land owner’s refuse to grant NOC willingly, then the government should take some action against such landlords.
Paul Pereira, Utorda
