Virendra Gahwai, Bilaspur. A hearing was held in the High Court today in the case of fluoridated water in Gariaband. The PHE (Public Health Engineering) department presented a detailed report in the court, in which it was said that the department is trying its best to provide clean water. The High Court directed to ensure better arrangements and asked to monitor the matter. The next hearing in the case will be in November.
Let us tell you that the High Court stressed the need to provide clean water in the entire state including Gariaband. It is noteworthy that in most of the villages of Gariaband district, children are becoming victims of dental fluorosis due to high amount of fluoride in water. Expressing concern over this situation, the court said that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide clean and safe water.
It is noteworthy that the High Court had asked the PHE Secretary to give an affidavit and tell what measures are being taken for this. During the hearing of the case, information also came to light that plants were set up in 40 villages of the district at a cost of Rs 6 crore, but they were closed within a few months. On this, the department informed that out of 40 fluoride removal plants, 24 are working properly. The rest is being rectified.