The Citizen’s Forum of K East Ward is organising a rally in collaboration
with the Institute of Community Organization Research on 1st April 2006 at
the Holy Family School Hall, Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai. There will be
two rallies. One will begin from Saibaba Temple, Mahakali Caves Road at 3:30
p.m. and Sacred Heart Church, Mahakali Caves Road at 4 p.m. The other group
will come in from Sahar Church. Both rallies will congregate at Holy Family
School Hall.
The rally will be addressed by a panel of distinguished speakers including,
o Dr Vibhuti Patel, Head of the Department of Economics, SNDT Women’s
University, Mumbai.
o Mihir Desai, Advocate Mumbai High Court and Joint Editor, Combat Law
o Ms Domnica Dabre, a social activist with Harit Vasai Saurakshan Samiti
The Venue: Holy Family School Hall, Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai
The Time: 5 pm to 7 pm
WE WANT TO HAVE A SAY OVER OUR WATER AND MANAGE IT OURSELVES
In what may be its first step towards privatizing water in the city,
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appointed a private consultant
to study water supply management in Andheri (K-east ward) and recommend a
better system for billing and collection of dues.
After this survey, the BMC will outsource the collection of bills for the
area to another company. If the pilot project works, it will be extended to
the rest of Mumbai.
Reasons why we oppose privatization:
a. It leads to increase in rates of water
b. Privatisation could undermine water quality
c. Water companies are accountable to its shareholders and not the consumers
d. Privatisation fosters corruption
e. Privatisation reduces local control and public rights
f. Private financing costs more than government financing
g. Privatisation leads to loss of jobs
h. Privatisation is difficult to reverse
i. BMC has not run into a loss in its management of water
We state:
a. Water is a right of all people. It is a basic human right of the people.
Every individual must have water for personal consumption and for livelihood
activities. There should be no distinction amongst individuals and groups of
people as far as availability of and access of water is concerned.
b. We recognise that the availability of water is not infinite. It is
limited. It is therefore necessary to have a rational and long-term plan for
conservation, renewal, augmentation, and management of the water resources
of the country. The plan must be democratic, socially just, and
environmentally sane.
c. Mini and micro projects suitable to the area, planned (in cooperation
with experts and central planners), executed, controlled and managed by
local collectivities must find sufficient importance in the policy.
d. The people have right over water but this is the right to access and use.
It is a stewardship and usufruct right. It is not a monopoly right of
ownership or control.
e. Women shoulder the major responsibility in collecting and transporting
water for personal consumption. Their participation and opinions in the
planning for water must have a priority.
f. There must be no privatization of water supply. Any privatization is
denial or restriction of access and thus a violation of the basic human
rights. Capacity to buy must not become the right to wastefully utilize
water.
We demand:
a. The citizens of K East Ward be consulted at every stage in the management
of water.
b. There be transparency from the side of the Government and the people’s
right to information be respected.
Supporting organizations include:
Promoting People’s Participating In Water Governance
Apli Mumbai, Civic Political Cells of Andheri
Shehri Vikas Manch
Ashankur
Yuva
ICHRL
Surakhsa
Jeevan Dai
Please Contact:
Allwyn D’ Sylva
Director
Institute of Community Organization Research
Ph: 28756953
Mob: 9820068257
India Centre for Human Rights and Law
4th Floor CVOD Jain School, 84 Samuel Street, Dongri
Mumbai 400009 India
Phone: (91) (22) 2343 9651 and 23436692
Fax: (91) (22) 2343 3698
email: documentation@ichrl.org <mailto:training@ichrl.org>