Ahmedabad: A swimming pool in Ahmedabad is creating waves of controversy. The Gujarat University Vice Chancellor, Adesh Pal, is building a private pool with a capacity for 72,000 litres of water. Political activists have hit out at him saying this is blatantly insensitive given that thousands of villages in the state are drought hit.
Many are questioning the estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh for the pool, while the university itself doesn't have one. But the V-C is adamant. "V-C is the highest authority. Any decision taken by the V-C is to be approved by a proper committee. I have taken a decision and the building committee has approved it," Pal said.
Members of the NSUI staged a protest outside Pal's house demanding that construction be stopped immediately. With a capacity for 72,000 litres of water, the pool they say, is a blatant example of insensitivity to those struggling for a drop of water in several districts.
Dr Manish Doshi, Member, Gujarat University Senate, said, "Water is scarce in 17 districts. The government itself has decared thousands of villages as drought hit. The government ought to take disciplinary action against him."
But the Vice Chancellor denied any such scarcity across the state. "All this talk of scarcity is political and I don't want to comment. I don't agree with it," he said.
Water crisis or not, a grand swimming pool is the last thing people need for the harsh summer ahead.
Many are questioning the estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh for the pool, while the university itself doesn't have one. But the V-C is adamant. "V-C is the highest authority. Any decision taken by the V-C is to be approved by a proper committee. I have taken a decision and the building committee has approved it," Pal said.
Members of the NSUI staged a protest outside Pal's house demanding that construction be stopped immediately. With a capacity for 72,000 litres of water, the pool they say, is a blatant example of insensitivity to those struggling for a drop of water in several districts.
Dr Manish Doshi, Member, Gujarat University Senate, said, "Water is scarce in 17 districts. The government itself has decared thousands of villages as drought hit. The government ought to take disciplinary action against him."
But the Vice Chancellor denied any such scarcity across the state. "All this talk of scarcity is political and I don't want to comment. I don't agree with it," he said.
Water crisis or not, a grand swimming pool is the last thing people need for the harsh summer ahead.
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