In recent update the Municipal Corporation House, led by Mayor Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor of the (AAP) Aam Aadmi Party passed a resolution offering residents a generous 20,000 litres of free water every month but before residents could clink their glasses the Governor Purohit threw a wrench in their plan.
Chandigarh which is a joint Union Territory, administered by both Punjab and the central government, has planned to supply free water for the residents but Governor Purohit refused to approve the MC House’s decision, pointing out the financial absurdity. He stated,”How can we give free water in Chandigarh when we’ve already signed a 15-year loan agreement for the project?.
The loan agreements mentioned above involves a heavy amount of Rs 510 crore for the smooth water supply around the city. This amount is provided by Agence Francaise de Developpement(AFD) which is a French Government’s development agency in a loan amount of 412 crore. In Addition, Rs 98 crore was provided by the European Union for the water supply project.
The amount for repayment of these loans will be recovered from the Chandigarh residents through monthly water bills which will soon be hiked.
Adding to the statements, Purohit also questioned the MC commissioners’ capabilities to advise the councillors properly. He further criticised both AAP and BJP on claiming false promises to residents in a bid to outdo each other. “One party offers 20,000 litres, the other jumps in with 40,000 litres. I don’t back any party, but promises to the residents should be realistic,” he remarked during a sanitation book launch in Chandigarh.
Anup Gupta, a former Mayor explained further on the financial constraints,”Water rates and slabs are already fixed in the agreements with the AFD. That’s why the BJP cut sewerage cess, ultimately lowering water bills.”
BJP councillors faced another moment of humiliation when they were literally shown the door after they countered the AAPs 20,000 litre free plan with a whooping 40,000 litres for free. They tried to defend their water gambit by citing Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to uplift society by providing basic amenities.
However, opposition parties weighed in significantly. Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal argued that UT administration should allow the Municipal Council to handle its affairs as it is an autonomous body and if councillors decide something, it should be implemented. He further emphasised on clean drinking water should be given priority but also criticised the slow pace of the 24/7 water project
Dr SS Ahluwalia who is a co-in-charge of AAP’s chandigarh unit also defended the free water supply scheme terming them as welfare schemes. He also mentioned that free medical and education services exist in other parts of the county and water is the most basic requirement and at least should be provided at reasonable rates.
While the house approved the free water and parking proposals but doubts on the implementation hangs over. The proposals lacked crucial details such as water tariffs after the 20,000 litres and a clear plan on managing the parking lot due to which concerns are raised over the financial viability of these proposals.
Recently the city’s Mayor passed the budget which estimates a revenue collection of Rs 160 crore from water bills and Rs 25 crore from the parking fees. However a potential shortfall of Rs 85 crore is still under question.
While free water sounds exciting but the burden it places on the residents through increased water bills in the future cannot be ignored. This water chronicles of Chandigarh has highlighted the complexities of balancing populous with fiscal responsibility. Only future holds the answers, whether a mutual understanding will be reached or if Chandigarh residents will be left burdened with the weight of the loan.
