As a concept, privatisation of water looks at water distribution as a revenue generator. But the objective of a water distribution system should be to ensure the availability of this basic necessity to every person irrespective of his or her paying power. Rather than have private management of this resource, better public oversight is needed. Institutional structures with representation from resident welfare associations and social activists can audit distribution network functioning. Transparency in water supply-related data such as pipelines laid, incremental households served, leakages, treated water, efficiency in water usage through pricing usage above a certain threshold, smart metering, rainwater harvesting and more budgetary support are some other measures to achieve this objective in urban areas (OpEd page, ‘Left, Right, Centre’ – “Should we privatise water?”, April 21).
Aaron Geo Abraham,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai
Until the first three to four decades of independent India, the triad, “ roti, kapda aur makaan ” formed our basic needs. Later, there entered the second triad — “ sadak, pani aur bijli .”
Probably, a fuller reading of the draft National Water Framework Law as well as the Public Trust Doctrine enunciated by the Supreme Court is a must read for all those who manage water — from the aam aadmi to the policymakers. It is also disturbing to note that “ground water in India, is still governed by the 19th century British Common Law” as part of the rule book, leading to unchecked privatisation of ground water.
In fact, water is not merely a commodity, but one of the essential services. As in the case of health services, power supply, education and milk supply, etc., a holistic and all inclusive framework is still elusive in the efficient and optimal utilisation of ever depleting water resources. No doubt, interState water-wars in India have become an annual feature.
As a water user, for the past seven decades, in the once ‘Garden City’ of Bengaluru, I now find that the residents and those who transit through this globally known city are water stressed.
Especially in the last quarter century, with the enormous concentration of IT/BT, health, education, hospitality, communication and transportation, not to leave real estate, Bengaluru is bursting at its seams and there isn’t a perennial water source that can quench our thirst.
Therefore, the official machinery is grappling with the problem not having a firm grip on water supply management in Bengaluru. Although there is no official privatisation, ground water pumping bore-wells and supply by water tanks is by and large privatised here. In addition, in every nook and corner, you will find a water distillation unit doing roaring business.
Skyscrapers, and their occupants as well as other consumers who have no piped water supply in their residents, are entirely dependent on private tankers.
Therefore, whatever may have happened in the past, we urgently need a “National Water Framework Law” for equitable and judicious distribution of this ever depleting scare resource.
Let us also not forget that denuding the forests and unabated misuse of the waste land — making way for concrete structures in towns and cities, is adding to our misery. There is also hardly any noise about the fact that water scarcity is one of the direct consequence of global warming. At this rate, Genext may have to brace for a much harsher struggle to get water even for their basic needs.
Last, but not the least, “reduce, reuse and recycle” should be the new triad in managing water and all stake-holders should be made part of the mission, without any exception.
Ramalingam Ramaswamy,
Bengaluru
