Natmauk locals protest for not getting budget for tube well

Published 11 October 2018

Aung Thu Nyein

Around 500 locals participated in the protest on October 10 against getting a budget denied for a tube well for Tamalanpin Village after already digging one.

In Tamalanpin village, there are over 400 households with more than 1000 family members. They face shortage of water. The idea of a tube well should be dug in the areawas supported by Magway Region Natural Disaster Management Department. So, Union Minister has asked Rural Development Department of Magway Region to inquire whether a tube well should be dug or not. In the meantime, the Sayadaw from the village and administrator took out loans in order to dig the tubewell.

When Rural Development Department of Magway Region visited the village, they found out that there were already two wells and two ponds in the village. The Department decided that no more wells are needed.

Due to the Department’s disapproval, no budget was allowed. But, the villagers rely on the new tubewell for water supply and so they protested in order to obtain allowances back for the new tubewell they already dug.

“We’ve submitted the letter regarding the digging of this tube well to Myint Soe of Natural Disaster Management Department of Magway Region. We’ve sent a message to Union Minister Win Myat Aye to his mobile phone number. Every well we dug before had the budget allowed or approved. We dug ten tube wells last summer and used a total of KS.200 million. Ministry of Relief and Resettlement donated Ks.100 million,” said Zaw Min Htaik, in charge of digging the tube well.

“At that village, there are two wells and two ponds but one is ruined and one is about one and a half mile distance from the village. The rest are not suitable for drinking water. That’s why we supported for digging the tube well. While the Union Minister ordered Rural Development Department to inquire, the well was dug using borrowed money. But, the Rural Development Department submitted that no new well was required, and so, no budget was allowed. And now, those who borrowed money for digging the well are demanding to get back their money,” said Myint Soe, Natural Disaster Management Department of Magway Region.

For the protest, a letter was sent to Magway Police Force for approval. Protestors holding water pots and bottles shouted slogans for allowing budget for the tube well.