Water privatisation a mistake?
7 July 2012 3:04 AM GMT
In a major embarrassment to the Delhi Jal Board [DJB], its leakage detection and investigation department has submitted a note to the board chairperson, chief minister Sheila Dikshit, expressing suspicion that the report of the consultants on better distribution of water could be misleading.
The report prepared by head of leakage detection and investigation department, OP Goud, states that suspected leakage losses on distribution mains in the pilot project area has been mentioned 24 per cent against the negligible loss actually found during the department’s study which is 0.129 million gallons per day.
The consultants in their report said that the private firms involved in distribution of water should replace the lines laid before 1990, which is only 20 years of age, despite the age of centrifugally spun CI pipe [ISI marked used in DJB] is 100 years. However, Goud’s report is silent on repeated complaints of pipelines going bust and contaminated water being supplied to households.
Board proposes to spend Rs 1,500 crores on the pilot project to privatise distribution of water in areas covered by Mehrauli, Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi water treatment plants. Goud’s report also claims that consultants have been appointed in contradiction of CPWD clause 6 and CVC guidelines.
Goud claims that the cost of water meter including cost of pipe would be recovered from consumers.
However, a statement issued by the DJB has claimed that the pilot project would be taken up in four areas with no extra cost to the consumers.
MUNICIPAL BODY STANDS FIRM AGAINST PLAN
North Delhi mayor Mira Aggarwal has advocated trifurcation of Delhi Jal Board as well and wants the pieces to be handed over to the three municipal corporations of the city.
In a letter written to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, she has demanded roll back of privatisation of DJB and return it to municipal corporations. The mayor also accused the government of taking over DJB in 1998 on ‘frivolous’ grounds.
‘As the solemn spirit of 74th Amendment of the constitution is to strengthen the local bodies. The government should respect the Section 12 of the Act in which water, sewage and basic public amenities has been assigned to the local bodies. DJB was taken over by the Delhi government to provide better services but it has become from bad to worst. Its sad that now, the government is going to privatise it. It should be returned to corporations if they are not able to run it properly,’ said Mira Aggarwal, Mayor, North Delhi Municipal Corporation [NDMC]. ‘DJB should be divided into three and handed over the respective municipal corporation,’ she added. The Mayor also claimed that she was not informed by the government about privatisation of DJB but learnt it through media. When asked it was BJP government in 1998 which took over DBJ she replied,’ Its not a political matter but a fight of municipal corporations for their rights.’
‘Municipal Corporation is the ultimate owner of DJB and it has the authority to decide its fate. The very notion of ‘improvement’ promised by Delhi government has flopped completely. Its privatisation would be against people like privatisation erstwhile Delhi Electricity Supply Board (DESU) to private power distribution companies [DISCOMS],’ contended Mira Aggarwal.
As the per the 12th schedule of the constitution items like water supply, fire service, slum improvement etc. are the subject matters which should be put within domain of the municipality.
The report prepared by head of leakage detection and investigation department, OP Goud, states that suspected leakage losses on distribution mains in the pilot project area has been mentioned 24 per cent against the negligible loss actually found during the department’s study which is 0.129 million gallons per day.
The consultants in their report said that the private firms involved in distribution of water should replace the lines laid before 1990, which is only 20 years of age, despite the age of centrifugally spun CI pipe [ISI marked used in DJB] is 100 years. However, Goud’s report is silent on repeated complaints of pipelines going bust and contaminated water being supplied to households.
Board proposes to spend Rs 1,500 crores on the pilot project to privatise distribution of water in areas covered by Mehrauli, Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi water treatment plants. Goud’s report also claims that consultants have been appointed in contradiction of CPWD clause 6 and CVC guidelines.
Goud claims that the cost of water meter including cost of pipe would be recovered from consumers.
However, a statement issued by the DJB has claimed that the pilot project would be taken up in four areas with no extra cost to the consumers.
MUNICIPAL BODY STANDS FIRM AGAINST PLAN
North Delhi mayor Mira Aggarwal has advocated trifurcation of Delhi Jal Board as well and wants the pieces to be handed over to the three municipal corporations of the city.
In a letter written to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, she has demanded roll back of privatisation of DJB and return it to municipal corporations. The mayor also accused the government of taking over DJB in 1998 on ‘frivolous’ grounds.
‘As the solemn spirit of 74th Amendment of the constitution is to strengthen the local bodies. The government should respect the Section 12 of the Act in which water, sewage and basic public amenities has been assigned to the local bodies. DJB was taken over by the Delhi government to provide better services but it has become from bad to worst. Its sad that now, the government is going to privatise it. It should be returned to corporations if they are not able to run it properly,’ said Mira Aggarwal, Mayor, North Delhi Municipal Corporation [NDMC]. ‘DJB should be divided into three and handed over the respective municipal corporation,’ she added. The Mayor also claimed that she was not informed by the government about privatisation of DJB but learnt it through media. When asked it was BJP government in 1998 which took over DBJ she replied,’ Its not a political matter but a fight of municipal corporations for their rights.’
‘Municipal Corporation is the ultimate owner of DJB and it has the authority to decide its fate. The very notion of ‘improvement’ promised by Delhi government has flopped completely. Its privatisation would be against people like privatisation erstwhile Delhi Electricity Supply Board (DESU) to private power distribution companies [DISCOMS],’ contended Mira Aggarwal.
As the per the 12th schedule of the constitution items like water supply, fire service, slum improvement etc. are the subject matters which should be put within domain of the municipality.
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