Jharkhand asks people to keep off irrigation pits

Ranchi, July 14 (IANS) The Jharkhand government has asked people to stay away from water pits -- locally called dova -- primarily dug up across the state to facilitate irrigation. The advisory comes in the wake of number of drowning deaths in these water bodies which have been filled up with monsoon rains.

"The water bodies have been dug up to help the farmers facing drought. But some unfortunate incidents have been recorded in some parts of the state. It is the responsibility of the people to help each other and create awareness," says the advertisement that has been published in the local media.

The advertisement has asked people not to allow children near these water bodies and pits and put up red flags to alert the residents of the villages.

In the last one month more than 22 persons, including 19 children, have drowned in these water bodies.

The opposition parties have slammed the state government for ignoring the dangers from these pits so far.

"The government has woken up from deep slumber after death of more than 22 persons. The government cannot escape from its responsibilities by just putting out advertisement in the newspapers," state Congress General Secretary Alok Dubey told IANS.

Over one lakh water pits have been dug up by the rural development and agriculture departments across Jharkhand. These are likely to irrigate around 75,000 hectare of land in the state.