The Rs-10 crore scheme inaugurated on May 29 was to benefit 47 villages in southern part of Nizar taluka and few villages in Uchhal taluka. Also, interestingly, the phase I of the scheme -- to benefit 25 villages -- has been already completed, on papers, in nine villages, including Devala and Gamdi.

However, the paper-work is far from reality. And what could be pointer to this fact are the leaking over-head tanks, including the main water works, at Velda, proving the inferior quality of material used.

While in Devala, a leaking 40,000-litre capacity over head tank is nothing more than a show-piece, the stand post beneath the tank from where villagers were supposed to collect water has already collapsed. ``We have been cheated.'' alleged Devala panchayat member Gyaneshwar Chaudhary while talking to this reporter.

``The scheme has not benefited us at all,'' said another resident, Pravinsinh. Some people use water from borewell, while others still trek down to the rivulet to collect water. And when the rivulet dries up, they collect the muddy water from the river which is consumed after filtering.

Worse still, villagers of Gamdi got a feel of what was is store for them when they did not receive water as assured on May 29. The reason: though water had been released from main water works, it did not reach the overhead tank as the pipeline had leaked. The leaking pipe could be seen all along the road and is yet to be repaired.

While irate Gamdi villagers boycotted the inaugural function, local MLA Paresh Vasava was not invited to attend the function. The reason, said former Nizar taluka president Punajibhai, was because Vasava had dashed off a letter to the chief minister suggesting him not to inaugurate the scheme because the work was ``done half-heartedly'' and with substandard material. Even zilla panchayat member Tukaram Vadvi maintained that the ``scheme was a big joke''.

Water Resource minister Narottam Patel, when contacted, said he was not responsible for the poor quality of pipes as ``it were laid much before he became the minister.'' Claiming that he was not aware of leakage, Patel said, ``if the tanks are leaking they can be repaired.'' He also dismissed the Congress opposition to Scheme as ``political motivated'', saying they did not want the BJP to get credit.

Meanwhile, with the inauguration of Velda Water supply scheme, history seems to have come a full circle in the tribal taluka. In 1993, when Chimanbhai Patel laid the foundation stone for the project, it was the BJP which opposed it. In 1999, when the BJP Chief Minister inaugurated the scheme, the Congress opposed it.

In fact, the scheme, say tribals, is proving to be another `Lift Irrigation Scheme' -- which never became operational. Though about 14 tanks were dug on top of hillock in Bilkhwati village to irrigate the land of those displaced in Uchhal and Nizar, irrigation, however, remained a pipe dream when the tribals discovered that water could not be pumped up.

When the then chief minister Amarsinh Chaudhary came to inaugurate one such scheme in the village, the well from where water was to be lifted was filled with water brought by a tanker, alleged Velda villagers.