JHAPA: Communities in Jhapa have failed to manage water projects in their area.

Two out of three drinking water projects in Jhapa’s Topgachhi would soon cease to operate for lack of budget. The government has discontinued its assistance to the projects, locals said, adding, the sum collected from consumers was not enough to sustain the projects.

Baburam Koirala, chairman of consumers’ committee of a project said that the government did not heed to their request for the continuation of the projects. He added,’’ The government remained indifferent though the project implemented at the cost of more than Rs 10 million was in peril. Despite the investment, more than 300 households would be deprived of pure drinking water if the projects cease operation.

Bishnu Niraula, secretary, consumers committee, said that the consumers were not able to continue the projects as the administrative and an electricity expenses were quite high. He added, “We collect Rs 16,000 from the consumers but the expenses are around Rs 30,000 per month.