Sonia apprised of water crisis on Rae Bareli visit today

Rae Bareli, May 14 (UNI) Drinking water crisis emerged as a major complaint of the locals to Congress president Sonia Gandhi during a visit to her Parliamentary constituency here today.

Ms Gandhi was here to assess the ground realties of development works underway in the district, sources said.

The locals, who are reeling under the potable water shortage during the ongoing scorching weather, apprised the Congress president about the problem.

Later, interacting with locals, Ms Gandhi, assured them of early relief from the problem.

Taking stock of development works, including ponds constructed under Rashtriya Rozgar Guarantee Yojana, Ms Gandhi said the dried up ponds would be re-filled soon with utmost priority.

''We have to go 200 meters far to fetch even a bucket of safe water...there is only one well, which has also dried up, while two taps are also in a dismal state,'' a Korin-ka-Purva resident told Ms Gandhi.

Power, education, health and infrastructure issues were less highlighted during this visit of Ms Gandhi, as water problem emerged to be a major concern for the people in this hot weather.

The gram-sabhas, inspected by the Congress president comprised Sehjaura, Chichola, Shora, Munai and Korin-ka-purva.

Earlier, Ms Gandhi had visited her constituency on February 20 last when she inaugurated a petroleum institute and a nationalised bank programme.

The Congress president's visit was also being linked up with the coming Lok Sabha election, as a move to assess the political situation in the state.

UNI XC-JAS AM BD2007