The Local Self-Government Department has asked local bodies to ensure the GPS tracking of tankers supplying drinking water to areas facing water scarcity.
The system helps the authorities track the exact location from where water is collected and distributed. It was introduced in 2017 to make drinking water distribution more transparent and bring in fair pricing.
An order issued by the department said that local bodies should ensure the quality of water supplied in GPS-enabled tankers. The supply of water has to be done at the time convenient for consumers. Steps have to be taken to provide the water required in each region.
The district administration, taluk and village officials, and local self-government bodies will be able to monitor the operation of water tankers having GPS facility.
MPs and MLAs too can monitor the operations as they too have been given the passwords for the purpose.
GPS logbook
Secretaries of various local bodies must verify the GPS logbook and the vehicle logbook to ensure that consumers were supplied the required quantity of water.
They will have to confirm that only GPS-fitted tanker lorries are used.
The Directorate of Panchayats will monitor activities in the sector and submit its report to the district administration every two weeks.
The details of local bodies operating the water supply scheme without GPS system will be recorded for legal action.
Local bodies have been permitted to spend a separate fund from April 1 to May 31 as part of drought mitigation activities. The Kochi Corporation could spend a separate fund of ₹22 lakh during this period. For the municipalities, the limit is ₹16.5 lakh, while grama panchayats may spend upto ₹11 lakh.
