One of essentially the most bold initiatives of Coimbatore Corporation, the 24x7 water supply scheme, has run into rough climate on the verge of implementation, precisely 10 years after it was once envisaged.
While the scheme itself isn't adversarial, what has come as a motive for fear a number of the public is the privatization of the water supply scheme. The Rs 2,961 crore venture aiming to supply water round-the-clock to 60 wards in the corporation has been entrusted with Suez Projects, a French company. For the corporate, that is the biggest water services and products venture in India. Granting the venture for water supply, considered an essential carrier of presidency, to a private body has resulted in apprehensions, specifically the pricing of water. Residents doubt that once privatized, the corporate would repair water price lists at its will and treat water as a commodity moderately than a elementary amenity.
The CPI and CPM have introduced protests towards the privatization move. The DMK too, which had a gathering of the district functionaries on Friday, resolved to battle the privatization. The civic body went into damage control mode and issued a observation clarifying that Suez was once roped in just for operations and upkeep of water supply and had no function in solving tariff.
"Water tariff can be mounted by means of the corporation in session with the state government,’’ said corporation commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan.
Even even though the corporate can be entrusted with billing work, the selection of water charges will remain with the corporation. "The water utilization can be measured for each and every household using computerized meters and fees can be amassed through an app. The cash can be credited to the corporation’s bank account,’’ said Vijayakarthikeyan. The contract was once given to Suez Projects Private Limited for 26 years – a one-year study duration, 4 years of implementation duration and 21 years of repairs duration. The authentic said the corporate began its study about a few months in the past.
At present just a subsidised Rs 4.50 for 1,000 litres of water is being charged from customers, while the civic body is paying Rs 9.75 for 1,000 litres to the TWAD, an authentic said, including that the tariff may trade if the government discontinues the subsidies.
But questions continue to be raised. "Even if the company doesn’t fix water tariff, chances are that they might levy service charges as they did in New Delhi," said S M Samy, former councillor (DMK). Former councillors also query the common sense at the back of officers taking a drastic determination like privatisation of water supply when the council isn't in position.
At the same time, there have been voices supporting the venture too. "There is no need for people to panic as no government would cede powers to a private company for solving price lists for an essential carrier like water,’’ said K Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause.
"But the privatization would toughen the quality of water distribution carrier," he said.
Citing that they had completed daily survey in two wards, the authentic said a techno-economic feasibility study is being carried out to know the water requirement of the town.
While the scheme itself isn't adversarial, what has come as a motive for fear a number of the public is the privatization of the water supply scheme. The Rs 2,961 crore venture aiming to supply water round-the-clock to 60 wards in the corporation has been entrusted with Suez Projects, a French company. For the corporate, that is the biggest water services and products venture in India. Granting the venture for water supply, considered an essential carrier of presidency, to a private body has resulted in apprehensions, specifically the pricing of water. Residents doubt that once privatized, the corporate would repair water price lists at its will and treat water as a commodity moderately than a elementary amenity.
The CPI and CPM have introduced protests towards the privatization move. The DMK too, which had a gathering of the district functionaries on Friday, resolved to battle the privatization. The civic body went into damage control mode and issued a observation clarifying that Suez was once roped in just for operations and upkeep of water supply and had no function in solving tariff.
"Water tariff can be mounted by means of the corporation in session with the state government,’’ said corporation commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan.
Even even though the corporate can be entrusted with billing work, the selection of water charges will remain with the corporation. "The water utilization can be measured for each and every household using computerized meters and fees can be amassed through an app. The cash can be credited to the corporation’s bank account,’’ said Vijayakarthikeyan. The contract was once given to Suez Projects Private Limited for 26 years – a one-year study duration, 4 years of implementation duration and 21 years of repairs duration. The authentic said the corporate began its study about a few months in the past.
At present just a subsidised Rs 4.50 for 1,000 litres of water is being charged from customers, while the civic body is paying Rs 9.75 for 1,000 litres to the TWAD, an authentic said, including that the tariff may trade if the government discontinues the subsidies.
But questions continue to be raised. "Even if the company doesn’t fix water tariff, chances are that they might levy service charges as they did in New Delhi," said S M Samy, former councillor (DMK). Former councillors also query the common sense at the back of officers taking a drastic determination like privatisation of water supply when the council isn't in position.
At the same time, there have been voices supporting the venture too. "There is no need for people to panic as no government would cede powers to a private company for solving price lists for an essential carrier like water,’’ said K Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause.
"But the privatization would toughen the quality of water distribution carrier," he said.
Citing that they had completed daily survey in two wards, the authentic said a techno-economic feasibility study is being carried out to know the water requirement of the town.
Alarm over water supply privatization
![Alarm over water supply privatization]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 23, 2018
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