The government will take a final decision on who would be entrusted with the responsibility of supplying water to Mysuru, according to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
At a meeting here on Tuesday, Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed doubts over the capabilities of the local body in this regard and questioned whether the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) had the adequate man-power to take up the responsibility.
This stance of the Chief Minister has put a question mark on the resolution passed by the MCC members that the local body would take over the responsibility of drinking water supply from JUSCO after the expiry of its contract on May 31. The MCC in justification of its resolution, cited the 74th Amendment to the Constitution which empowers the local body to provide civic amenities, including water supply.
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However, Mr. Siddaramaiah pointed out that it was the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) that was entrusted with the job of supplying water in other cities as well. Mayor R. Lingappa urged the Chief Minister to entrust the MCC with the responsibility for 6 months on an experimental basis but the CM did not respond. However, he said a decision on the issue will be taken by the government.
The officials in their presentation pointed out that the MCC incurs an expenditure of Rs. 3.88 crore per month to supply water while its revenue is only Rs. 3.5 crore. There are 40,000 illegal connections apart from non-metered connections in many places. The MCC council resolution was greeted with opposition by the local NGOs who wanted the responsibility of water supply to be entrusted to a professional body and had questioned the competence of the MCC in this regard.
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The CM was apprised of development works in the city and the delay in execution of the projects taken under the government grants was attributed to multiplicity of clearances required to get the projects moving. The officials pointed out that decisions are taken at 12 levels which was adding to the delay.
To expedite the project works and secure clearance, the Chief Minister directed Joint Secretary Ramaiah to establish a single-window clearing system to expedite the projects.
To a suggestion that the local body should be empowered to approve projects up to Rs. 2 crore, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would consider it. The officials said they have submitted a project worth Rs. 59 crore to prevent sewage entering into the lakes and divert them.