The Hindu 05.02.2014
MP seeks State funds for water supply
‘No need for World Bank funded project under PPP’
BJP State chief Pralhad Joshi, MP, has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to fund the project on extension of 24x7 water supply project to all wards under the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) from its own resources, rather than permitting a World Bank-funded project.
In a letter written to the Chief Minister, which has been released to the media, Mr. Joshi pointed out that the scheme had been implemented in eight wards of the twin cities on pilot basis, and approval was given for extension of the same through private partnership back in 2008.
In his letter, Mr. Joshi drew the Chief Minister’s attention to the Government Order dated November 7, 2013, through which the State government permitted the implementation of the 24x7 water supply scheme in Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga at a cost of Rs. 2,574 crore, under assistance from World Bank.
Mr. Joshi has said that through the order, Rs. 1,146 crore had been earmarked for the extension of the scheme to the remaining 59 wards. “Under the project the World Bank will bear 72 per cent of the total cost of the project, which comes to Rs. 550 crore. The remaining which comes to Rs. 214 crore has to be borne by the municipal corporation. Given the financial condition of the HDMC it is impossible for it to mobilise such huge funds,” Mr. Joshi said in the letter.
Phased manner
The MP urged the Chief Minister to take up the project of bringing other wards of the twin cities under the scheme through State government funds, and to withdraw the Government Order issued. He requested him to release funds from the State government’s resources.
The scheme has been implemented in eight wards on pilot basis.
