NEW DELHI: The mystery surrounding the controversial 24x7 scheme of the Delhi Jal Board has deepened further with a majority of the Planning Commission members and officers expressing "ignorance'' about any reference having been received from the Delhi Government for their opinion on this World Bank-sponsored project.

This revelation was made by the Planning Commission members and officials to a delegation led by noted social activist and Magsaysay Award winner Aruna Roy, and comprising noted economist Amit Bhaduri, convenor of the Right to Water Campaign Madhu Bhaduri, social activist Nikhi Dey, and Arvind Kejriwal of the non-government organisation Parivartan who made a presentation to the Planning Commission on Monday on the pitfalls and dangers of the 24x7 scheme.

The delegation had made a similar presentation to the Chief Minister and other senior Delhi Government officials in the last week of August where they were informed along with the Delhi Jal Board CEO, Rakesh Mohan, that the project had been referred to the Planning Commission for approval. It was in this context that the delegation made this presentation to the Planning Commission.

Four members including Syeda Hamid, Yugandhar, Bhalchandra Mungekar and Abhijeet Sen attended the presentation. It was also attended by several officials from the Water Department of the Planning Commission including Advisor (Water). However, none of those present had any knowledge of the Planning Commission having received any such reference from the DJB or the Delhi Government.

According to a release issued on behalf of the delegation, the members wondered what could be its locus standii and the role of the Planning Commission at this stage.

"If the Delhi Government has already applied to the World Bank for a loan through the Central Government, it means that the project and the loan proposal have already been approved by the DJB, Delhi Government and the Department of Economic Affairs of the Central Government. The World Bank was going ahead with processing the loan application of the Delhi Government and that process had not been stopped, what role could the Planning Commission play at this stage?" some members wondered.

The delegation requested the Planning Commission to publicly state whether they had actually received any such reference from the Delhi Government.

What opinion had the Delhi Government exactly sought from the Commission? What was the role and locus standi of the Planning Commission in this case?

Who in the Planning Commission was dealing with this reference? How was he dealing with it? How was it that most of the members of the Planning Commission and the senior most officials of the Department dealing with the subject were totally in the dark about such a reference? In how much time would the Planning Commission give its opinion?

On its part, the Commission promised to respond to these issues.

Ms. Aruna Roy said: "When it comes to rural areas, governments are legally obliged to consult the gram sabhas. Why is it that the Government has not consulted the people of Delhi for improving its water supply when the Capital has some of the best international experts.''

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