The State government’s decision to divest the responsibility of water supply from the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and hand it over to the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) has drawn flak from councillors, who have threatened to approach the Court.
MCC resolution
The MCC Council had passed a resolution that consequent to the expiry of contract with JUSCO on May 31, the MCC, through the Vani Vilas Water Works, would take over water supply and distribution in the city. The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority and sent to the government.
However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had evinced interest in hiving off the responsibility of water supply distribution from the MCC on the grounds that it was being undertaken by the KUWSDB in other cities.
Ravi, councillor of Ward Number 35 and former Deputy Mayor, said a majority of elected councillors saw petty politics behind the government’s move and flayed Mr. Siddaramaiah for it. “It is the JD(S)-BJP combine which is at the helm of affairs in the MCC, and hence Mr. Siddaramaiah is keen on belittling us,” said Mr. Ravi.
A section of councillors saw this as a snub to the elected body. “What is the need for an elected council if its resolutions are not respected by the CM?” asked Mr. Ravi.
Councillors cutting across party lines met to discuss the issue and decided to take up the issue with the government again, failing which they will approach the Court, he added. Councillor and former Mayor H.S. Srikantaiah pleaded patience and said that the Chief Minister clarified that the delinking of MCC from water supply is only for a year, during which the KUWSDB will have to finish projects left incomplete by JUSCO.
Unkept promises
“JUSCO promised to provide 24x7 water supply to the city and overhaul the distribution system. The KUWSDB failed to extract work from JUSCO and hence the board has to complete the work at its cost and hand it over to the MCC,” said Mr. Srikantaiah.
He said the MCC neither has the funds nor staff to complete the works left behind by JUSCO and it would not be a violation of Article 74 of the Constitution, as the Chief Minister had promised that the responsibility of water supply would revert to the MCC after a year.
The issue will come up in the next session of the MCC Council and is expected to cause fireworks.
