NAGPUR: Controversial
godman Asaram Bapu’s pre-holi celebration by wasting gallons of potable
water amidst worst-ever drought in major parts of state has drawn action
from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Penalty has been imposed on
Asaram’s organization Shri Yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti
on Monday. Mayor Anil Sole and municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane
also urged all citizens to prevent wastage of water especially during
upcoming Holi festival.

Asaram was in the city on March 16 and
17 and sprinkled potable water mixed with natural colours on large
number of devotees at Kasturchand Park on the last day of congregation.
NMC said
some 1.82 lakh litres potable water was supplied during the two-day
programme through 22 water tankers of which over 50,000 litres was
sprayed on the devotees. The water would be enough for drinking needs of
over 20,000 persons for one day. This was not the first time when such
celebration was held in the city by Asaram. The same programme is being
organized since a few years.

Wardhane told TOI notice was
issued to president of Asaram’s organization Parmanand Kushlani who had
asked for water for drinking purpose. “NMC asked the organization to
deposit a penalty of Rs 9,391. Notice along with penalty was slapped
according to provisions in Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.
Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and other parts of the state are facing a
severe drought. Water is very precious and should be utilized in a
judicious manner. Citizens should also prevent wastage of water
especially during Holi. Potable water should not be utilized for
purposes other than necessary,” he said.

NMC’s water works
department charged penalty by calculating charge at commercial rate of
Rs 66.15 per unit. Earlier, NMC’s private operator Orange City Water
Limited (OCWL) had charged Rs 3,763 from Asaram’s organization at
residential tariff of Rs 5.51 per unit. The organization deployed its
own tankers and NMC provided potable water from Seminary Hills
reservoir.

Shockingly OCWL first proposed to supply water free
of cost. On March 13, an OCWL official wrote to NMC’s executive engineer
Azizur Rehman saying, “Organization has asked for 55 tankers. The
charges come to Rs 8,813.20. But they expect us to provide water free of
cost. Kindly advise us.” However, Rehman asked it should be charged at
residential tariff with tankers being provided by the organization. The
NMC acted after water wastage was highlighted by a section of media on
Sunday.

Besides water wastage, the devotees also added to the
abuse of Kasturchand Park. A visit to the ground on Monday revealed many
violations especially at Band Stand which was utilized as rest room by
the organization’s activists for three days.