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| Private tankers cash in on water scarcity | | Take Jammuites to hostage as they charge upto Rs 1000 per tanker | |
ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 24: Even as people in winter capital have been reeling under acute shortage of potable water, private water tankers not only charge at their 'will' for water they supply but have created a virtual monopoly keeping at bay 'outsiders' from Company Bagh filling station adjoining to Maulana Azad stadium.
Surprisingly, their 'control' on filling station resulted into some people digging up 'illegal' tube wells in Talab Tillo, Sidhra, Sainik Colony, Udhaywala and Greater Kailash colonies without seeking permission from the administration, which appears to be in deep slumber.
Sources informed that private water tankers have created a monopoly at tube well number 6, popularly called Company Bagh Sub-Division filling station, not allowing 'outsiders' to fill water from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) station.
Sources further informed that private water tankers, which fill water from Company Bagh, supply it to the intending people charging anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 1000 per tanker from them in lieu of scant amount of Rs 100 per tanker remitted to the PHE officials at the station.
"Government has not fixed any rate for the water being supplied to the intending people by the private water tankers and taking full advantage of it, they charge anywhere from Rs 600 to Rs 1000 per tanker. Haunted by shortage of the basic amenity people simple give in," maintained sources.
Sources further said, though PHE has kept the facility for all, who can remit Rs 100 per tanker but owners of private water tankers did not allow any 'outsider' to meddle into their 'affair'.
"There are about 22 private tankers which remain stationed outside the filling station and did not allow any outsider (public vehicle) to take water from the filling station. They charge Rs 650 for supplying water in Jewel area and their rates get multiplied with every kilometer," maintained sources.
"If the centrally located filling station is opened to all, not only the cost of water would come down but it would also provide livelihood to several people, who though have water tankers but stay away from the station for obvious reasons," pointed out sources.
They further maintained that despite fully aware of the malpractice PHE authorities too has turned a blind eye, adding, "On an average approximately 200 to 225 water tankers daily fill water from the Company Bagh station, a number which has come down from around 350 tankers since High Court clamped timings of 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m, before 7:00 a.m and after 8 p.m for such tankers to supply water within city limits."
However, PHE does not charge anything from paramilitary forces, army, fires services and State Police fetching water from the same filling station but other government departments like JDA, forest and JMC have to remit an amount of Rs 100 per tanker.
"Nonchalant attitude of the administration could be gauged from the fact that several people have dug up illegal tube wells in localities in and around Jammu city without any permission," said sources, adding "To lessen the burden and cater to the needs of people on the outskirts of city, PHE has filling station in Boria Colony near Bahu Fort, Transport Nagar near Narwal Bala, Sitlee Nagrota and Muthi-Barnai."
When contacted, Dalip Bakshi, Chief Engineer PHE refused such allegations, saying "If anybody has complaint, he should straightway approach me."
"Water from this filling station is available for all the residents but every tanker has to be in queue before filling," he maintained.
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