Shortage of water increasing by the day, say FOSWAC members

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 16

The issue of water shortage issue was raised at the executive committee meeting of the Federation of Sectors’ Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC) which was held at the Sector 8 community centre here today.

Baljinder Singh Bittu, Chairman of the federation, said: “The shortage of water is increasing by the day, despite the tall claims made by the Municipal Corporation regarding uninterrupted water supply. The MC should focus on supplying water with sufficient pressure to reach the upper floors of buildings.”

“Despite contacting the MC several times, the shortage of drinking water in several sectors is a major issue. Private water tankers can be seen selling buckets of water across the city. Houses are getting monthly bill for tertiary water connection even though there is no supply of water,” lamented RS Gill, a resident of Sector 8.

The federation also opposed the proposal for imposing taxes and increasing the rate of water, electricity, parking lots and garbage collection without any value addition.

Col Gursewak Singh from Mani Majra expressed anguish over lack of accountability and coordination among different departments. “The lower-level staff do not consult and cooperate with the RWAs,” he said.

JS Sarpal, president of the RWA, Sector 33, said the deduction of TDS from the payments for the maintenance of park has not been sorted out by the MC till date. Due to this, the RWAs are getting discouraged.

Pardeep Chopra from Sector 21 said the government, instead of forcing the residents to install solar panels on rooftops, must make sure that the solar panels are installed at all government buildings and MC buildings.

JS Gogia, General Secretary of the Federation, told the house that the UT Adviser has assured them to remove the garbage heap at Dadumajra soon. The flyover work at the Tribune Chowk was likely to be taken up soon, he said.