BWSSB seeks approval for free water supply to SC/ST families

After slum dwellers, it could now be Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe (SC/ST) colonies of the city to get free water. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials have submitted a detailed report on the project to the state government seeking approval.

In May, during the launch of the free drinking water supply scheme to slum dwellers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that he would extend this programme to SC/ST families. He had even asked BWSSB to submit a report on the number of such families in the city and also the estimated cost of this project.

What’s in the report?

According to the report formed by BWSSB officials, around 32,510 SC/ST families live in the city.

The report also states that a water bill of around Rs 8.03 crore is pending from the SC/ST colonies besides interest of Rs 4.91 crore.

However, a senior BWSSB spokesperson said that if the state government approves this project, around 1,30,00 people will benefit from it.

The state government might ask BWSSB to waive the interest amount. If the state government approves the proposal, all 32,510 families in the city will receive 10,000 litres of free water with the state government bearing the cost since BWSSB has no funds for the project.
The state will pay Rs 48.12 lakh every month or Rs 5.77 crore a year to BWSSB after the project is approved.

‘Report submitted’

H M Ravindra, chief engineer, BWSSB, told DH, “We have submitted the report to the state government and are waiting its approval.”