The Hindu 04.08.2012
Six-member squad to monitor drinking water crisis in Mysore
Officials not cooperating with elected representatives: councillor
The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) will constitute a six-member vigilance squad to monitor the drinking water scarcity in the city.This was announced by MCC Commissioner M.R. Ravi, in reply to the councillors rue over the water problem in various wards here.
Cutting across party lines, the members drew the council’s attention to the water scarcity in their wards and the failure of officials to attend to it. Councillor Sharadamma alleged that officials were adopting a “non-cooperative attitude” towards the elected representatives and expressed her helplessness in living up to the public’s expectations in delivering even the basic amenities. “At times, one feels like committing suicide,” she said, following which other councillors admonished officials for their apathy.
“If a member speaks in such a tone then it underlines the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of the crisis,” said a member in support of Ms. Sharadamma. Replying to the anguish of the councillors, Mr. Ravi said all steps would be taken by the MCC to solve the water crisis, and announced the constitution of a vigilance squad with six members drawn from the MCC, JUSCO and the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The contact numbers of the squad members would be released to the public through the media, Mr. Ravi said.
Inequitable supply
The councillors also complained that the water distribution in the city was not equitable and while some wards received water throughout the day or for greater part of the day, there were other places where the supply was restricted to a few hours, once in a couple of days. The commissioner promised the Council to ensure equitable distribution of water.
The council also formally gave its consent to the Sister City agreement signed by the MCC with Cincinnati authorities. The agreement was signed in the U.S., and the MCC was represented by A.H. Vishwanath, Mysore MP.
The agreement provides cooperation in various fields between the two cities, including economic development, science and technology, health, education, tourism and urban management, among others. However, the agreement resulted in a minor controversy as a few councillors objected to Mr. Vishwanath representing the MCC instead of the Mayor.
- ‘Contact numbers of squad members will be released to the public through the media’
- Councillors also complain of inequitable water supply in the city
