DNA : Water privatisation report is baseless : Nov 16,2007
Water privatisation report is baseless
claims activist about the report on water issues in k east ward
westcoast correspondent
westcoast correspondent
james john, a social activist from andheri (e) has written a letter to the municipal commisioner of the brihanmumbai municipal corporation (bmc) regarding the water privatisation issue in the city.
he claims that the company, m/s castalia which was given the contract to survey the water problem in the k (e) ward has given a false report. he said, “during the course of the project, m/s castalia could not even identify a single unauthorised connection nor could they bring out in their report any fraudulent consumption by industries or traders. also the public was not informed of this during their presentation recently.” the activist also added that, the june 2007 report from castalia depended upon three points – high leakage level in k (e) ward, 60 per cent of non-functional meters and 24×7 water supplies.
he claims that the company, m/s castalia which was given the contract to survey the water problem in the k (e) ward has given a false report. he said, “during the course of the project, m/s castalia could not even identify a single unauthorised connection nor could they bring out in their report any fraudulent consumption by industries or traders. also the public was not informed of this during their presentation recently.” the activist also added that, the june 2007 report from castalia depended upon three points – high leakage level in k (e) ward, 60 per cent of non-functional meters and 24×7 water supplies.
james says that, “all the above points which castalia has mentioned are false, in the data which i have collected it shows that 41.50 per cent of the meters are non-functional and the rest are working. while the third contention regarding 24 x 7 water supply, a reality on which the whole exercise started is a big pipe dream, which the consultants themselves in their reports inform, may not be a possibility.” therefore the activist has demanded that a monitoring committee of stake holders selected from the administration, elected representative, civil society groups and activists must be formed to monitor details regarding water problems and its related developments as well as the changes that need to be brought in.
dnawestcoast@dnaindia.net
dnawestcoast@dnaindia.net
Publication : DNA; Section : Westcost; Pg :1; Date : 16/11/07