HC directive to Govt on water suppluy

Kochi, June 23 (UNI) Kerala High Court today directed the State Government to suggest whether it is willing to permit private agencies to take up water supply along with the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) or otherwise what major steps it will take to solve the problem.

Mr Justice C N Ramachandran Nair directed the Government Pleader to get a report from the Chief Secretary in this regard within one week.

The Court said that no one would have a doubt about the Water Authority's incapacity to supply drinking water to the satisfaction of the public even in city areas.

It has neither finance nor the direction to improve water supply qualitatively or quantitatively. Therefore, the only solution appears to be induction of private agencies to take up water supply instead of allowing the Wather Authority's monopoly to contine, the Court observed.

The Court issued the directive while staying an order of the Lok Ayukta directing Asst Executive Engineer, KWA, Kaloor, to appear in person for the failure to give water connection to induvidual applicants.

UNI XR PMM AD1817