MARGAO (GOA): The Shadow Council for Margao has condemned the state of affairs at the water supply department at Margao. The SCM stated that the government while on one hand is enjoying at the cost of the consumers who are subjected to exorbitant water bills owing to the faulty ‘Jaica meters’, and on the other hand is totally neglecting this section.
SCM convenor and former chairperson Savio Coutinho stated that as per information, there are 32,000 consumers under this sub division from areas of Margao, Fatorda and Benaulim. And the hundreds of consumers having issues to be addressed by this office, be it regarding faulty meters, leakage/pressure problems or new connection, have to make end number of trips to this office as site inspections are postponed for want of staff vehicles. The privileged few who can afford, ferry the officials with their own vehicles or hired vehicles, but the poor ‘Goan’ is left in the lurch.
Coutinho further stated that the PWD has money to squander on bogus water supply tanker operators (as recently exposed), but this same department falls short of funds to repair and provide water tankers for this sub division.
It may be noted that there are hundreds of applications pertaining to exorbitant bills due to faulty meters, pending for inspection. By the time the inspections are conducted, the next bill is issued and the consumers are forced to pay the huge amounts billed.
“When the government has funds in crores to purchase plush new vehicles of convenience for Ministers, why can’t they spare a few lakhs on much needed staff vehicles that can ease the hardships faced by the common man?”, questioned Coutinho.
The SCM warned that if the situation at this department are not improved within a fortnight, then they will be compelled to take on to the streets.
Team TNV