All of a sudden, the focus on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have been diverted to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its head Arvind Kejriwal. If they do something then there is a problem, and if they don’t do anything then also there is problem. What other parties want them to do? They want AAP to surrender to corruption as they have done in these years and betrayed common public. We have not been able to achieve anything since Independence. Government has miserably failed to provide basic facilities for the people of the National Capital Region, (NCR) then think about those who stay in remote villages. Water conservation is not meant to prevent adequate supply to its citizens. It should be done by supplying ‘only’ used water to private industries, government agencies and avoiding misuse of extra water. We can conserve water by prohibiting these industries’ waste in fresh water bodies.
All these years, Congress Party was indulging in the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’. They launched Democratic Schemes in the names of Gandhi [not Mahatma] but their own family members. What happened? Nothing; we are chanting the same slogan from past 65 years and even today. If same things continue we may be chanting it for another 60 years. Congress has never aimed at changing and improving the lifestyle of poor people. Government bodies like Planning Commission have also failed to show the required commitment. When Congress and BJP failed in these years then why accuse and attack newly formed party? Let them perform and sustain. Give them chance and let see how they govern. People are there to teach them lesson if they flop or make losses.
I hope you people remember one of the members of Planning Commission, Mihir Shah. He had put forward a case against free water by arguing that the cost of supplying water is to be borne by the consumers. This argument is not new. Financial institutions around the world such as World Bank and ADB advice the full recovery of operation and maintenance cost of drinking water supply schemes from the beneficiaries of the scheme. From last ten years, there was no free water to the people of Delhi. What prevented Planning Commission’s economists to plug the 40-50% distribution losses that Delhi Jal Board incurred? For last 66 years, Planning Commission has kept planning and planning, allocated funds to provide adequate sewerage system in urban centers. What happened to those funds and who pocketed it? Don’t know. Why Planning Commission is just a mute spectator when people in slums are defecating in open despite crores of rupees allocated for toilet? By increasing the water charge, you can regulate the water usage of the majority. In our country, the number of wealthy upper middle class and mushrooming billionaires is on the surge. They would be ready to pay for extra water. This will lead to highly unjust distribution of available water. By providing clean water, the state can save money in the health care sector. An increased investment in drinking water definitely has a social benefit. Mihir Shah also elaborated on the leakages of water. The interesting fact is that the actual physical leakage is not measured by majority of water utilities. What they give as leakage is actually the unaccounted water, i.e. water that is not billed. The main cause of this is the unauthorised connections and corruption rather than actual physical leakage.
The National Water Policy of 2012 says that water, in excess of a minimum required for humans and other living being and to the environment is a good economics. The planning commission in its approach paper for 12th plan encourages Public Private Partnership (PPP) and full cost recovery principle. Both refuse to accept access to drinking water as a basic human right.
Harshvardhan said, “Money meant for other welfare schemes will now be spent on increased subsidy. Instead, the government should have forced discoms to lower tariff.” Sheila Dikshit attacked the AAP saying government’s announcement presents a confusing picture. Everyone is issuing an opinion by making negative remarks. They should understand, a day after implementing the first promise of free water supply of 667 litres a day, Arvind Kejriwal got down to the business of providing relief to the citizens on the power front. After the decision, people consuming up to 200 units would have to pay Rs. 1.95 per unit against the current rate of Rs 2.70. For units above 201 and up to 400, the charges will be Rs. 2.90 per unit against the current Rs. 5. In effect, the 50 per cent subsidy will amount to 20 per cent in the case of the first 200 units and around 35 per cent for consumption between 201 and 400 units since Wednesday’s decision is applicable on rates revised in August last year. Sheila Dikshit government had given Rs. 1.20 subsidy on the rates for consumption of up to 200 units and 80 paise between 201 and 400 units. Simultaneously, Kejriwal also began work on bringing the three power distribution companies — BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd — under the purview of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
We need to look at the gravity of corruption by government and its officials which forced people to throw the government. Power and water sector officials are highly corrupt and therefore it has resulted people to pay heavy bills. He had 2 options, either using the rider for freebies or reducing the rate without freebies. Those who use high units are really the ones who can afford to pay. So, this is a good step without any hassle to both. People reject Congress because of its excessive corruption which has resulted in unprecedented inflation for the common man. Common man had not borne the high inflation therefore they ousted Congress government. India has a long way to go; till it will shine and democracy will work. Democracy in this country is for all and not for the upper and middle class families.
