BWSSB officials visit US, in times of austerity

The State government has spent over Rs eight lakh on them

The government spent over Rs eight lakh on the officials, who attended the Water Environment Federation's Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2009), organised at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from October 10.

S Sridhar, Executive Engineer, Revenue Enforcement Cell; C Abdul Nazir, EE, West Division; G S Manjunath, Assistant Executive Engineer, Maintenance, South-II subdivision; and Jaishankar, Cauvery Division attended the meet, offering training to water quality professionals. While the conference would take place during the five days, an exhibition will be showcased simultaneously during the last three days. The World Environment Federation has been organising annual conferences since its inception in 1928.

According to a top official source, the total expense incurred on the trip was Rs 8,20,514, including air tickets, accommodation and visa processing fee. "The engineers were sent under the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) project," he said. JICA is funding the IV Stage of Cauvery Water Supply Phase Two. However, the money has to be repaid to the agency.

Senior officials in BWSSB were not aware whether the officials presented the papers or not. After the meet, the team members have extended their stay in the US for sightseeing.  
Early this year, a big group from BWSSB had visited Singapore to gain first-hand knowledge of how sewage water was recycled and made potable.