পাতা:অনাথবন্ধু.pdf/৫৭৪

39б method of providing a pure supply suggested ܫ ܒܩ all-aha ܣܧܚܝ-ܥܒܝ a u ka- AA ۔۔۔۔ vu- LLLLSLLLSMSMSSSMSSSMLSSLS LTSLS AAALSLSLSL by one gentleman was often, I found, scoffed at by another. * * * The object of bringing you together is not to discuss controversial points as to the best means of providing money, but to discuss the best way of tackling the problem of providing rural districts with a pure water-supply.' . The general sense of the meeting was that "the re-excavation of the existing tanks was more important than the excavation of new tanks.' in the opinion that “any fresh source of income should be ear-marked for this purpose.' In November, 9l8 the public works cesses, amounting to 29 lakhs and odd, were surrendered by the Government of Bengal in favour of the District Boards. did not ear-mark the amount for rural watersupply leaving it to the discretion of the Boards to utilise it as they thought best, it being understood that water-supply in rural areas would not bo neglected. ° In 1915 the Government took another step in advance. And on October 14th the following communique was issued The committee were also unanimous But the Governmeut Government have recently had under their consideration the question of expenditure by District Boards of the grants on account of Cess to be placed at their disposal during the current year. In view of the agricultural stress experienced in certain parts and the coinparative cheapness of labour, it is hoped that these funds will be largely devoted to the much needed improvement of excavating tanks in rural arcas. It is believed that thereby immediate employment will be found for local labourers, while a lasting betterment of rural conditions will be effected at a minimum cost. District Boards have been advised where circumstances justify the concession to dispense with the contribution usually expected from the locality in which a taņk is constructed.' So in this matter no blame can be shot at ANATH BANDHU. Volu::e f. the door of the Government which when warmed to its task has nobly endeavonred to The l’ublic Works (ess at the disposal of the District Board was an occasion remove the crying want of the province. placing of the for rejoicing in many quarters; and those who had so often written about the want of drinking water in the mofussil thought that after all they had achieved their end. Unfortunately the listrict Boards in several districts failed to realise their responsibility. And a question in the Luo:al Legislative Council asked by the Hon. Rai Mahendra Nath Mitra Bahadur elicited the fact that in many districts the Boards had not striven to grapple the qucstion of rural water-supply. In the Resolution of the Government reviewing the Reports of the working of the District Boards in Bental during the year 1915-1916 it was said- "Three years have elapsed since the resources of the District Boards were augmented by approximately 30 lakhs owing to the transfer of the Public possible to review the manner in which they Works Cess, an it is now have exorcis: their discretion in its expen Orders hypothecating the whole or any part of the diture. were not issued definitely Public Works (ess to particular objects; but the District B parls were informed in February 1914 of the desirability of devoting a substantial portion for sanitation, the improvement of the water-supply and anti-milarial measuros; while in September 1915 they were advised to utilize large sums for the excavation of tanks in the rural areas.' But “taking the figures for the Provinco as a whole, 23-3 per cent of the Public Works Cess was spent on water-supply, during the year under review, and the Governor in Council recognizes that there has been a considerable advance in providing good drinking water in rural areas. Fuller use should however, in his opinion, be made of the large resourees now at the disposal of Distriet Boards. It. may sometimes be difficult to spend large