MLAs grill govt. over water problem
November 13, 2006
A meeting of the District Planning & Development Committee (DPDC) for Mumbai turned stormy when MLAs took the state government to task over the insufficient supply of potable water to various localities in the city. At the same time, they categorically questioned the government how newly-constructed multi-storied buildings were getting 24-hours’ supply of the precious liquid. Mumbai’s Guardian Minister Jayant Patil, who is also at the helm of affairs of the finance department, was at receiving end for allocating insufficient budgetary provisions for water supply schemes.
The DPDC meeting was held at Mantralaya on Friday with Jayant Patil presiding as chairman. The moment the meeting started, the MLAs of the Shiv Sena-BJP drew attention towards the inadequate supply of potable water in Mumbai. Initially Patil didn’t pay much heed to these members. The agitated Sena members became more aggressive. The uproar increased when these members started levelling allegations against the government.
Datta Nalawade, Bala Nandgaonkar and Dagdu Sakpal stood up and vociferously raised the issue. They said, “At one hand the water taps are running dry in various areas especially in Dadar, Shivaji Park, Girgaon, Lalbaug and Parel, but on the other hand, newly constructed high-rise towers are getting round the clock supply of water. This is clear-cut discrimination and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and government administration should clarify this issue. It seems they are playing into the hands of rich people.”
They further said, “Last year Rs. 22 crore was sanctioned for Mumbai. But acutely the provision in the budget was made of Rs. 18 crore out of which only Rs. 8 crore have been spent. What happened to rest of the money?” They also demanded that the government stay the issuing of work commencement certificates to new buildings till the water supply of other localities was streamlined.
Stunned by the unexpected criticism, Patil tried to pacify the furious Sena members. Then he instructed the BMC Commissioner to organize a meeting of all officials related to the issue of water supply.