NAGPUR: The summer has
just begun and most parts of the city are already facing severe water
crisis. The extent of water shortage was evident from the uproar by
corporators of both opposition and ruling parties during the general
body meeting on Friday.

The house slammed private water
operator Orange City Water Limited (OCWL) for its inefficiency in
handling water works and directed Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)
officials to engage its teams for ensuring proper water supply.

Taking serious cognisance of complaints from all party corporators,
mayor Anil Sole directed the administration to issue notice to OCWL and hold meeting with officials of NMC and private operator.

As soon as the general body meeting started, leader of opposition Vikas
Thakre asked Sole to allow discussion on water situation first before
general body questions (GBQ) and proposals on agenda are taken up.
Thakre said OCWL is a curse for citizens and civic body. “Most citizens
are facing water scarcity or contaminated water. OCWL officials have
failed to resolve issues. Even complaints from corporators are ignored.
OCWL even registered an FIR against BJP corporator Praveen Bhishikar a
day ago. NMC officials are sitting idle and passing the bucks to OCWL.
Therefore, the discussion should be held on water situation,” he said.

Corporator from Congress Abha Pande and Praful Gudadhe, NCP corporators Prakash Gajbhiye and Duneshwar Pethe, BSP corporators Murlidhar Meshram and Kishor Gajbhiye supported Thakre’s demand.

Leader of ruling party Praveen Datke said the discussion on water was
welcome but after the GBQ session. Some BJP corporators Dayashankar
Tiwari and Sudhakar Kohle supported Datke. Sole requested corporators to
allow completion of GBQ before discussing the water situation.

However, all corporators from Congress, NCP and BSP thronged the well
of the house and started shouting slogans. Sole started GBQ and
adjourned it due to the chaos.

After the house resumed, Sole
allowed the discussion on water situation. All BSP corporators slammed
OCWL’s failure and adamant attitude towards the corporators. They also
staged a walkout, saying nothing is expected from the general body
ruling.

Datke and Kohle blamed NMC officials for sitting idle and passing the buck to OCWL.

Giving his ruling, Sole directed the administration to ensure no FIR is
registered against corporators without informing him. “Municipal
commissioner Shyam Wardhane should hold zone-wise meetings and
constitute teams to ensure monitoring of water supply. NMC is
responsible to citizens and should get works done from OCWL,” he said.
Sole also gave patient hearing to BSP corporators and gave directives
according to their demands.

Both NCP and BJP faced
embarrassment over the water issue. Despite walkout by opposition group
leaders, two NCP corporators, Raju Nagulwar and Kamil Ansari, remained
present in the house and raised issues.

Also, the BJP was on
the back foot when senior corporator Jagdish Gwalbanshi stood and
expressed disappointment over the discussion on water situation being
disallowed. “This will send wrong message to the city. We should have
allowed discussion, as many areas are facing severe water crisis,” he
said.