The New Indian Express         04.09.2013

In the backdrop of allegations by councillors that water diversion
was the primary reason behind the severe water crisis that hit the city
recently, Mayor Tony Chammany on Tuesday announced that a special
committee is being constituted to probe the reasons behind the water
shortage. The Mayor said the decision was taken during a meeting with
Minister for Water Resources P J Joseph in the presence of MLAs and
engineers. “There are allegations that water meant for Kochiites is
being diverted to other areas. Councillors have also raised doubt about
leakage of pipelines.

These anxieties were discussed in the meet and the
minister has appointed a special team to investigate these matters. The
Superintendent Engineer has been asked to monitor the probe. The
corporation will take necessary action once this team submit its
report,” the Mayor said. In the council meeting, councillors alleged
that improper functioning of the KWA had led to the water crisis.
Councillors, cutting across party lines, raised an uproar when the Mayor
postponed a special council meeting to discuss the financial crisis in
the Corporation. The meeting is scheduled for September 23. Chairman of
Development Standing Committee T J Vinodkumar said being an important
meeting, the decision to postpone should have been taken with little
more seriousness. Opposition councillors N A Shafeeq and C A Shakeer
also strongly opposed the decision. However, the Mayor opined that the
postponement would benefit a more serious discussion on the topic.