Source : The Hindu Date : 07.07.2009
Mayor’s warning on illegal tapping of water
Staff Reporter
| Panel to be formed to inspect all water connections |
Photo: P. Goutham 
Noisy scene: Cutting across party affiliation, councillors argue with the Mayor Rekha Priyadarshini at the Salem Corporation meeting on Monday. —
SALEM: Councillors of Salem Corporation, cutting across party affiliation, criticised the civic administration for the continuing problems in the city’s water distribution network.
A number of parts in the city were facing shortage in drinking water supply and the illegal tapping of water from the pipelines remains unchecked, councillors pointed out.
Raising the issue in the council meeting held here on Monday, Leader of the Opposition G. Venkatachalam (AIADMK) said many parts in the city were given water supply once in eight days. A few parts in the city were getting water supply once in 10 days.
A. Ramani (CPI) said almost all the residential colonies in Kondalampatti zone were facing severe water shortage.
Residents had staged a number of demonstrations in the zone as they were not getting adequate supply of water.
Dharmalingam (Congress) pointed out that several commercial establishments, particularly restaurants and hotels in the city, were illegally tapping water from the civic body’s main distribution pipelines.
The practice continues despite repeated representations from the people and the elected representatives. Officials continue to turn blind eye over this issue, he charged.
K.S.Palanisamy (DMK) wanted the civic body to monitor the quantum of water supplied by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board to the city through the Salem – Attur combined water supply scheme.
Mr. Venkatachalam also demanded an explanation from the civic officials for inordinate delay in the implementation of the dedicated water supply project.
The AIADMK members walked out of the council hall protesting against the civic body for its failure to ensure uniform supply of water.
Deputy Mayor C. Paneerselvam announced that a committee would be formed to inspect all the water connections and prevent illegal tapping of water from the Corporation’s pipelines.
Mayor J. Rekha Priydarshini promised that action would be taken against those who were found tapping water from the civic body’s pipelines illegally.
Corporation Commissioner K.S. Palanisamy was also present.
