Punjab moots penalisation of water bill defaulters, new legislation for water conservation

CHANDIGARH: Amid concerns over water wastage, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday issued a series of directives, including penalisation of the defaulters of their water bills.
With the state staring at acute water scarcity, Amarinder reviewed the situation at the second meeting of the Urban Renewal and Reforms Consultative Group and ordered a virtual war against water wastage.
Besides stricter enforcement of the rules and regulations, Amarinder asked the concerned departments to suggest amendments, if any, to enforce payment of water dues as a deterrent to those wasting water. If needed, the state could go for a separate legislation to ensure conservation of water and prevent Punjab from going dry.
He asked the department to decide on installation of meters to check pilferage and wastage of water in large houses in posh localities of the state, an official spokesperson said after the meeting. The meeting discussed the possibility of switching to volumetric tariff to stop wastage of water as well as to make the O&M of water supply/sewerage sustainable.
Emphasizing the need to create awareness amongst the people about the conservation of water, Amarinder asked the department of local government and water supply and sanitation to organise special camps to educate the people especially in the rural areas for sensitising them about the need for water preservation. He also appealed to the MLAs to organize mass contact programmes at district, sub division and block levels to mobilise public opinion to save every drop of water.
To tackle the problem of drainage of water during the monsoons, he sought a comprehensive, both on an emergent and long-term basis. He asked the Local Government to arrange super sucker and jet machines for cleaning of choked sewage lines, which are often flooded during heavy rains.
He also asked for immediately release funds to the tune of Rs 221 crore, under the 14th Finance Commission, to the Local Government department for execution of development works in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Amarinder also gave directions for a meeting of MLAs, MPs and Mayors of the corporations by the local bodies department to identify the basic issues related to strengthening the civic amenities.