Protest against water meters leads to tension at GVMC

GVMC officials allege highhanded behaviour by protesters

November 22, 2013 02:06 pm | Updated 02:06 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

A tense situation prevailed at the GVMC on Thursday with CPI(M) activists opposing public private partnership for 24X7 supply of water insisting on submitting a memorandum to a GVMC official.

The CPI(M) was organising a dharna against the move to take up the water scheme under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission by fixing water meters for round-the-clock supply.

The proposal for the Rs.264 crore project was recently cleared by a JNNURM panel after a high-level meeting in New Delhi.

The protesters led by city secretary B. Ganga Rao and others wanted to submit a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner. However, when Additional Commissioner K. Ramesh had arrived, protesters stopped him and demanded that he accept a memorandum from them. GVMC officials said the protesters pressed that he should give an assurance on dropping the move of fixing meters.

Boycott of work

With Mr. Ramesh pushing out the door of the car and the protesters trying to stop him there was some pushing and jostling. Meanwhile, police also reached the spot.

Alleging that the protesters behaved in a “highhanded manner,” GVMC officials and employees boycotted work for the day.

A complaint was lodged with the Three Town police against four leaders, including Mr. Ganga Rao, based on a complaint by Mr. Ramesh under Section 353 for obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty. M. Subba Rao, Bhagyalakshmi and R.P. Raju led the protesters.

Mr. Ganga Rao described as unjust any move to privatise water supply.

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