The Hindu               06.06.2013

VMC to involve local community in decision making

G.V.R. Subba Rao

A working group of local elders, slum dwellers, and knowledgeable persons to be formed

Very soon you can prioritise the requirements in your locality. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation is contemplating involving the local community in deciding the requirements and priorities. A working group of local elders, slum dwellers, knowledgeable persons and retired people who have expertise will be formed in due course.

The corporation has begun a study on Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the services being provided to the citizens. The O&M of water supply, roads, Under Ground Drainage (UGD), street lighting, health care etc were being studied. A comprehensive data on O&M is being collected. A route map and guidelines would be formulated based on the outcome of the study.

The Times of India             05.06.2013

Ranchi Municipal Corporation yet to implement new water supply rules

RANCHI: Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is yet to implement the decision it had taken on providing water connection to the residents on the basis of address proof.

In the board meeting on May 22, it was decided that water connection will be given to people only on the basis of address proof and they will not require to show their land holding papers. The decision was to be implemented from May 23.

It has been more than 10 days now since the decision was taken but still the people are not receiving its benefits. Many are complaining that they are not given forms while some say that the employees of water board of RMC decline them water connection and say that they do not have orders to give connection on basis of address proof.

Manohar Gupta, who has been going to the RMC office everyday for the past one week to get a connection, said, "Neither is anyone giving me a form nor are they providing any information. The only thing they tell me is that land holding papers are required for water connection."

Similar is the plight of Jaideo Pal. "When I told the employees of the water board that the new rules say that address proof is sufficient to get a water connection they said they have not got any copy of such rules so they will not accept my application."

According to the decision taken in board meeting water connection was to be given on the basis of address proof and those who have water connection but do not have a holding number can get their connection legalized by June 30 by submitting an application along with the address proof. If the connection is not legalized by June 30 then it will be cut.

Chief executive officer of RMC Deepankar Panda said, "If an employee says that he did not receive a copy of the regulation then it is wrong. There is a provision in RMC that says that the rule has to be implemented as soon as it is passed. I will look into the matter and ensure that no one faces any problem."