PUNE: The general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday approved a policy decision to dig borewells on the premises of private housing societies for public use.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporators, Rupali Thombare-Patil and Prakash Dhore, had tabled the proposal. The duo stated that ground water in the premises of private housing societies in the city should be used for public purpose. The PMC should dig borewells with the society's permission and sign a contract with society to allow citizens other then society members to use the water.

"The PMC should first take a no objection certificate from the societies for the same," said Congress leader Arvind Shinde. NCP leader Subhash Jagtap assured that the PMC will sign a contract with the society. "This decision has been taken considering water scarcity in the city," said Jagtap. All party corporators unanimously approved the resolution.

Last month the PMC had announced its decision to take over all the wells and borewells in water scarcity zones in the city and open them for citizens' use to tide over the water shortage.

The civic body plans to utilize 399 wells and 4,820 bore wells in the city. According to the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA), 155 dug wells and 1,575 borewells in the city have potable drinking water.

However, the general body (GB) did not approve another resolution tabled by a group of BJP corporators which stated that properties which have borewells should compulsorily have rainwater harvesting system. Ruling Congress and NCP leaders said that the municipal commissioner should table his observations on the proposal and only then the GB will take a decision on the same. The GB also deferred the decision to make rainwater harvesting compulsory to new constructions in the city.