JOIN USMCC not efficient to handle water supply: MGP
The recent decision of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to take over the responsibility of water supply in the city has evoked strong criticism from the Mysuru Grahakara Parishat (MGP). In a letter, MGP office-bearers have questioned if the civic body is efficient enough to handle it.
MCC has resolved to take over water supply responsibility from the outgoing Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (JUSCO) from June 1, by taking recourse on the 74th amendment of the Constitution, which was intended at more responsible civic bodies. “So, when the MCC and corporators take shelter under this amendment to take over the water supply for the city, many questions arise,” said R Chandra Prakash and Bhamy Shenoy of MGP in the letter.
Tanker mafia
They fear that the decision by the MCC would pave way for ‘tanker mafia’ and ‘valveman raj’, which was prevalent when MCC and Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) were in-charge of water supply in the city. When MCC and VVWW handled the responsibility, more than 75 per cent of the households either did not have meters or the meters weren’t working, they pointed out.
“With the decision to take over the VVWW, the MCC may have ensured the return of the old era where water was a political commodity for politicians. As the State government is the final arbiter regarding management of water supply, it should hand over the responsibility of water supply to an independent agency or Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB),” they said.
Ward committees
Ward committees should be an integral part in municipalities with a population of more than 3 lakh as per the amendment to Article 243(S). Even though an effort was made to implement it in the past, some influential corporators took serious objections to it, they said.
If the MCC had ward committees, the MCC would have had a better opinion regarding water supply and other issues that are plaguing the city, they said.