Say Govt. must focus on making the most of available resources

As Delhi gets ready to implement public-private partnership models in the city to plug water and revenue leaks and ensure round-the-clock supply, water conservation experts want the Administration to look beyond dams and private companies and focus instead on water harvesting, recycling and off-channel reservoirs.

Resistance Panel To Write To CM, Plans Mass Movt

The answer to Delhi’s perennial water crisis could lie in two successful public-private partnership (PPP) models — one in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and the other in the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad

Pilot project in command areas of Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi

The Planning Commission on Thursday gave thumbs up to Delhi Government’s move to involve private entities in supply of water in several areas of the city on the lines of power sector. The reform initiative in the water distribution sector has been complimented by Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia when Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit briefed him about the move.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today discussed the privatisation of water distribution system in Mehrauli, Vasant Vihar and Malviya Nagar.

Setting the ball rolling for privatisation of water distribution system, the Delhi government on Friday approved a long-pending proposal to involve private entities in management, maintenance and supply of water in several areas of the city.

The private entities will be involved in command areas of Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi underground reservoirs and water treatment plants under PPP mode. The decision was taken at a board meeting of Delhi Jal Board presided over by chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

A protest against the National Water Policy 2012, organised by the People’s Campaign for Right to Water-Karnataka, a community-based organisation in the City on Friday, received an overwhelming response with a total of 3,090 people taking part in it.

Similar protests were held in 22 other districts of the State. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Kshithij Urs, a member of the organisation, said the new National Water Policy, 2012 sets a dangerous precedent by promoting anti-people practices which would be detrimental even to the future generations. The policy snatches away the people’s right to water.

Giving in to public protest against privatisation of water services and indiscriminate pricing of water, the modified national water policy provides for subsidy to the poor but at the same time emphasises the need for subjecting water to allocation and pricing on ‘economic principles’.

It says the private sector can become a service provider in public private partnership mode if the states so decide. The twice-revised draft calls for withdrawal of power subsidy to the agriculture sector on the plea that it leads ‘over-use of electricity’ and water. It, however, proposes separate electric feeders where “limited’’ ground water use for agriculture is “desirable”.

Grappling with severe water shortage and pilferage by the “tanker mafia”, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Tuesday decided to privatise the tanker management system in the city.

Equitable distribution of water in Delhi is need of the hour. This was stated by the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikhit.