Information regarding the supply of water to his village and the timings thereof were sought - CIC: inform the measures to be implemented to meet the water shortage & the fixed points where the water tankers will be stationed on a fixed date and time
17 Jun, 2014Appellant submitted that the claim of the DJB that they are supplying water from 4 to 6 pm daily, is false while residents are made to pay huge bills without supplying water; information regarding the supply of water to his village and the timings thereof were sought along with request to conduct an independent enquiry into this issue - Respondent: the water tankers are sent during peak summer season - CIC: inform the appellant regarding the measures to be implemented by the department to meet the water shortage and regarding the fixed points where the water tankers will be stationed on a fixed date and time
FACTS
The appellant is present along with Mr. Krishna Kumar. The Public Authority is represented by N.M.Tomar and Mr. Anand Pal, EE(CIVIL), Delhi Jal Board, GNCTD, Delhi.
2. The appellant is seeking information regarding the supply of water to his village and the timings thereof. He submitted that the claim of the respondent authority that they are supplying water from 4 to 6 pm daily, is false. Even if water comes, it is only for 15-20 minutes only. They are made to pay huge bills without supplying water. He desired to conduct an independent enquiry into this issue.
3. The respondent, on the other hand, admitted that it is a fact that the said village is not getting water properly, during peak summer season (April September) and the Govt. is implementing a scheme which will take two years to get it completed. Until then, wherever there is water shortage, they are sending the water tankers. But the appellant submitted that the water tankers are not supplied in a systematic manner. Drivers of the said tankers station the tankers at a distant place causing much difficulty to collect the water and handicapped persons are facing much difficulty. Moreover, average water bills are sent, irrespective of the supply of water. The appellant requested for fixation of water meters in the village. In reply to this request, the Respondent said that the proposal of fixing water meters is under consideration of the Government.
Decision:
4. The Commission heard the submissions. The respondent authority is directed to facilitate inspection of the area in which water supply is complained to be problematic along with the appellant and other responsible officers and explain/inform the appellant regarding the measures to be implemented by the department to meet the water shortage and regarding the fixed points where the water tankers will be stationed on a fixed date and time, so that water reaches all the inhabitants of the village on a date mutually convenient. This should be done within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of this order.
5. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
(M. Sridhar Acharyulu)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. Satyanarayan Vats v. DJB , GNCTD , Delhi in File No.CIC/AD/A/2013/000153SA