The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Water privatisation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 24, 2006

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Water privatisation

The article "Privatisation: come hell or high water" (March 22) provides an insight into the disastrous ramifications of privatisation of a basic necessity. Globalisation seems to spare nothing, neither marketable commodities nor essential natural resources. The World Bank slowly but steadily implements its agenda in the country of its choice, whatever the situation in the country.

Only a strong people's movement against the disastrous move to privatise water can prevent commoditisation of water. If Uruguay could amend its Constitution to protect water, why can't the biggest democracy in the world?

P.S. Premchand,
Udumalpet, T.N.

* * *

In the 60 years since independence, our governments have not been able to provide a majority with clean drinking water and sanitation. Politicians and bureaucrats have thoroughly bungled and scuttled the projects undertaken or just ignored the problem.

Our only hope is that private companies and investors will step in and start building the necessary infrastructure, install the required equipment, operate and maintain water distribution efficiently. It is up to the government to assure subsidised service to the poor and ensure that customers are not fleeced.

G. Unni Krishnan,
Kochi, Kerala

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Water, basic to the survival of man, cannot be commercialised. The government has an obligation to ensure its accessibility to citizens at a reasonable cost and if need be, subsidise it. Outside of the urban milieu there are millions of people in rural areas who have an equally important stake in access to water. Privatisation is no panacea for improved efficiency.

H.N. Ramakrishna,
Bangalore

* * *

The purchasing power of the people in developing countries is very low. Can they afford to pay for water?

It is the government's responsibility to provide its citizens access to clean and potable water. India should learn from the Bolivian example.

Ajay G. Pise,
Manipal, Karnataka

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