The government on Wednesday introduced a Bill to dispense with submission of Metrowater’s budget estimates to it for approval.
The Bill, aimed at giving more teeth to Chennai Metrowater, was tabled by local administration and water supply minister K.P. Munusamy. Henceforth, it would suffice if the board of directors of Metrowater approved the budget estimates. After the Board’s clearance, the estimates would have to be sent to the government for approval.
The Board comprises senior IAS officers, mostly. Apart from three whole-time directors — managing director, finance director and engineering director — the others include the finance secretary, municipal administration and water supply secretary, member-secretary of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, managing director of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board and Corporation of Chennai commissioner.
The local administration minister is the ex-officio chairperson of Metrowater.
