Social activist Kambam Seityajit has condemned the failure of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to maintain regular tap water supply across Manipur, even under President’s Rule. He questioned the accountability of top officials and urged the Governor to take immediate action to restore essential public services.
Seityajit expressed concern that despite being an Essential Service Department, PHED has failed to ensure uninterrupted water supply. He said that in many areas, particularly in Imphal East District, water supply has been completely halted for days, citing technical issues such as non-functional foot valves and engine failures.
“The foot valve is a small, inexpensive component, yet the department’s negligence in replacing it has caused immense hardship to the people,” Seityajit said. “Residents are now forced to buy water from private tankers at exorbitant prices. This indifference towards public suffering is unacceptable.”
He also criticized PHED for continuing to collect monthly water fees from consumers regardless of whether water is actually supplied. “Charging the public without providing the service is not only unjust but also violates the very principles of public accountability,” he asserted.
Seityajit held the Chief Engineer and the Commissioner of PHED directly responsible for the crisis, stating that their failure to ensure basic services reflects poor leadership and administrative apathy. “If these top officials cannot guarantee water — the most basic necessity — they have failed as public servants,” he said.
Pointing out that the state is currently under President’s Rule, Seityajit urged the Governor to personally intervene. “The Governor must act decisively to ensure that departments like PHED function efficiently and deliver essential services to the people. If this is ignored, citizens may have no choice but to raise their voice against such inaction,” he warned.
Seityajit said that timely supply of tap water is not a privilege but a fundamental responsibility of governance. “Under President’s Rule, the people of Manipur expect accountability, not excuses,” he added.