The Hindu 15.06.2013
Procedure for water connections to be simplified
KWA fixes targets for new connections
: Running after the local plumber for months together, shelling out exorbitant sums to get a new water connection, and finally ending up on the wrong side of the law if the connection is illegal, could all soon be things of the past if the Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) new plan of action for water connections works out well.
The KWA, as part of its efforts to increase the number of people with access to piped water supply in the State, has for the first time fixed targets for new connections apart from decentralising the connection process by delegating the power of the Assistant Executive Engineer to the Assistant Engineer to receive applications, process the same, establish feasibility, and issue sanction to domestic connections.
Technical feasibility
The AE can either directly or through a licensed plumber file the application online, but after careful scrutiny of the application. In the case of connections other than domestic, the prevailing practice will continue. Further, another process that consumes time as of now — judgement of technical feasibility — has been simplified. The AE will ascertain the same and, if not found feasible, inform the applicant in writing. If the applicant still wants the connection, ignoring feasibility, the connection will be granted after obtaining an undertaking from the applicant stating KWA will not be held responsible for inadequate supply of water.
Timeframe
Most importantly, a timeframe has been fixed for the entire process, with water connections in urban areas to be given within 15 days and in rural areas, within 30 days.
The decisions, according to KWA Managing Director Ashok Kumar Singh, were taken since the present procedure was ‘complex’ and also keeping in view the government’s directions to enhance the percentage of connections in rural areas from the present 14 per cent to 50 per cent in the next five years.
The facility to apply online for new connections is already being offered from the Pallimukku sub-division in Kochi from June 1, with the entire State to have the facility within six months, Mr. Singh told The Hindu . Hopes were that such measures would put pressure on the KWA machinery to raise efficiency standards apart from helping in transparency, better online monitoring, and most importantly, increased revenue collection.
Connection targets
The connection targets for 2013-2014 have been set along with a request being sent to the Public Works and Local Self-Governing departments to include permission for water connection in the Public Service Guarantee Act with the road cutting permission on NHAI/PWD roads to come in 15 days and in Corporation/Municipality/Panchayat areas, in 10 days.
The target for Thiruvananthapuram is 19,846 urban connections and 26,783 rural connections while for Ernakulam, it is 26,549 urban connections and 20,358 rural connections. The figures for Kozhikode are 20,021 urban connections and 22,246 rural connections. The rural areas of Malappuram will account for the highest, with connections to be given this year pegged at 41,172 against an urban aim of 6,478 connections.
