Barmer, Oct. 13 -- Barmer, one of Rajasthan's districts worst affected by deficient monsoon rainfall, is facing a worsening drinking water crisis, with 290 villages and 842 hamlets reporting water stress. Emergency tanker supplies remain pending as officials worry about possible post-poll objections over the selection of villages, verification of deliveries and clearance of payments. Meanwhile, more than 450 water infrastructure projects worth Rs.20.16 crore have been stalled amid the election process. The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has prepared a Rs.4.5-crore contingency plan and sent it to Jaipur for approval. The proposal seeks to provide drinking water through tankers to settlements where existing supplies are inadequate. However, uncertainty over approval and implementation has delayed the rollout. Officials fear tanker operations during the election period could invite complaints after the results, particularly from defeated candidates questioning the allocation of supplies. Such objections could complicate the verification of tanker trips and clearance of bills. "There is apprehension that tanker operations during the election period could invite complaints after the results are declared, particularly over the selection of villages and verification of supplies. Any such objections could complicate the clearance of bills and put officials under scrutiny....If objections are raised later, who will take responsibility for clearing the payments?" a senior official said on condition of anonymity. Whether the Model Code of Conduct legally restricts the proposed emergency supplies remains to be clarified by the authorities. The crisis has been compounded by falling groundwater levels. Nearly 10% of the district's drinking water sources have reportedly dried up completely. The PHED has identified 290 villages and 842 hamlets facing severe water stress, using a benchmark of 10 litres per person during summer. Separately, more than 450 water-related projects worth Rs.20.16 crore have received financial approval under the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) fund but remain stalled amid the election process. Jairamdas Meghwal, executive engineer of the PHED's city division in Barmer, said the budget for the schemes had been approved under the DMFT fund. "Work on the projects will begin after the Model Code of Conduct ends," he said. For residents of water-stressed villages, the delay has added to the hardship. Dost Ali, a resident of Khalide Ki Bawadi village, said, "People in our village need drinking water every day. The water crisis has worsened due to poor rainfall and the onset of dry conditions. If the tanker supply plan remains delayed because of the election process, the difficulties faced by villagers will only increase. The administration should make arrangements to ensure that drinking water reaches affected villages at the earliest, while following the applicable rules."...