Indian Express 22.04.2010
Ban on wasting water: HUDA lets off violators with warnings
CHHAVI BHATIA Tags : civic, water Posted: Thursday , Apr 22, 2010 at 0152 hrs
Panchkula: The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) seems to be letting off those wasting water in the city. Though there is a provision for imposing a hefty fine of Rs 5,000, most erring residents are being given a verbal warning followed by a notice.To deal with the problem of water shortage during the summer season, HUDA has restricted washing of cars, driveways and watering plants during peak load hours. The ban is applicable from five to nine in the morning and the same hours in the evening slot. Officials also claim to be conducting surprise checks in various sectors to catch the defaulters. No fines are, however, imposed as officials believe in giving a “second chance”.
“It is a three-step system that we are following to check ‘misuse’ of water during the peak load hours. First-timers are being let off with a warning and in case, they again are caught again, a notice will be issued to them. We are keeping a tab on people who have been sent notices and if they continue wasting water, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed in the next water bill,” said A K Aggarwal, superintending engineer, HUDA Circle.The body has issued over 550 notices since the ban came into force in the first week of April.
Aggarwal, however, defended the claim that HUDA was being soft on defaulters by not issuing challans. “Last year, we had fined over 80 households for wasting water. Habitual offenders would not be let off at any cost. We are even clicking pictures and recording instances as proof,” he said.
He also justified the heavy fine amount by saying that it would act as a deterrent for those wasting water. Officials are also conducting surprise raids at residences to check the use of online motors, which they claim, directly uses underground water, thereby reducing the water pressure to a great extent.
