The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Water should be affordable'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Water should be affordable'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 19. Opposing the recent hike in water tariff in the Capital, the former Prime Minister, V. P. Singh, today demanded that water rates should be affordable. "It is not the case now. The increase in rates would impose an unbearable burden on poor," he stated.

Joining the Citizen's Front for Water Democracy platform here to "prepare" an action plan against the water tariff hike and "launch" a movement against privatisation of the Delhi Jal Board, Mr. Singh demanded that slums, farming community and schools be kept away from the water tariff hike.

"There is no rational in increasing water tariff, thus imposing an unbearable burden on the poor and common man of the Capital," Mr. Singh said. Addressing members of the Citizen's Forum, headed by the noted social activist, Vandana Shiva, the former Prime Minister said profit orientation of crucial public utility service was not permissible.

Referring to his experiences about ground realities in slums and unauthorised colonies after privatisation of power, Mr. Singh said: "It (privatisation) has not helped. It is the contractors hired by private companies who are now looting the people."

Stating that he would be part of the movement against water privatisation and tariff hike, Mr. Singh observed if water and power went into the hands of private players, they would not be accountable to the people. He said the quality of water was very poor in the Capital. "Even at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the water is not drinkable," he alleged.

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