RWAs slam DJB's plan to privatise water distribution

Several resident welfare associations (RWAs) have punctured holes in Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) claim of taking along all stakeholders on its public private partnership (PPP) model for 24X7 water in three pilot project areas. In a report about the project published in HT on August 14, Jal Board CEO Debashree Mukherjee had claimed: "We have held bhagidari meetings with RWAs in these areas and also involved the area MPs, MLAs and local DJB staff."  

Rev ZS Peters, president of RWA Golf View Apartments, Saket, said: "We are unaware about such Bhagidari meetings. The DJB has not held any meeting with us. A private party will definitely increase water charges, otherwise why would it invest?" 

"Which RWAs has the DJB met? I am the chairperson of the resident ward committee for Malviya Nagar (umbrella organisation of all RWAs). The DJB has not held any meeting with any of our members," said Payal Aggarwal, who also represents RWA Sarvodaya Enclave.

She said the residents have already started getting 200% inflated bills "even before they have started any work for infrastructure development".

People's Action, a consortium of residents' bodies, too, has taken up the matter with the DJB. "Despite RWAs disapproving privatisation, Delhi government is hell bent on proceeding with unfriendly policies," said Ashutosh Dikshit, a member.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.