BHUBANESWAR: Residents of Lingaraj Vihar in the state capital have been running from pillar to post demanding direct pipe water supply by Public Health Department (PHD) to their houses.
Lingaraj Vihar in Pokhariput locality was developed as a residential area in 2001-02 and has 430 houses. Ever since inception, drinking water has been a major cause of concern for the residents.
Initially, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the two private builders who developed the colony used to fill up a 3 lakh litre water tank in the area hiring water tankers. Residents had to bear the cost. Then, at one point of time, water was lifted from open wells in the area through pumps to fill up the tank.
In summer, however, all these arrangements fall flat. After repeated appeals, the public health department ensured piped water connection to the tank, but there is no arrangement for water to reach individual houses, locals rued.
"We have been demanding separate PHD pipe water connections to our houses, but that has not been done. We continue to get polluted water collected from different sources, which often cause spread of water-borne diseases in our locality," Sisir Kumar Mohapatra, president of Lingaraj Vihar Welfare Association, said.
The other major problem of the area is poorly maintained roads. Roads were dug up almost two years ago for sewerage work, but neither has the work been completed, nor have the roads been levelled.
Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said, "The roads were earlier with the BDA and they have been handed over to BMC only recently. We have urged the sewerage board to complete their project and after that we would complete repair works. Plans are afoot to arrange individual piped water connections to their houses."
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Drinking-water-major-worry-for-Lingaraj-Vihar-residents/articleshow/26634321.cms
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Andhra Pradesh to move Supreme Court against Krishna Water Tribunal award
VIJYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh would approach the Supreme Court against a tribunal's final award on sharing of river Krishna waters and seek "justice" for the state, a minister said on Saturday.
Talking to media persons here, minister for secondary education K Parthasarathi said the government of Andhra Pradesh would definitely approach the Supreme Court to seek "justice" for the state on Krishna Water Tribunal award, which has evoked sharp criticism from Opposition parties here.
He, however, did not say when the state will approach the apex court.
The tribunal, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, came out with its final award on Friday. It allotted four thousand million cubic (TMC) of water from Karnataka's share to Andhra Pradesh and at the same time allowed the former to increase the storage in Almatti dam to 524.256 meters.
Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh have called the award a "death blow" to the state, particularly to the Krishna Delta region. They have maintained that the increase in water share to Andhra Pradesh was "negligible".
In the interim award given on December 30, 2010 AP had got 1,001 TMC of water, Karnataka 911 TMC and Maharashtra 666 TMC from the river. Prior to that allocation was 811 TMC for Andhra, 734 TMC for Karnataka and 585 TMC for Maharashtra.
The parties are strongly opposed to permission given to Karnataka for raising the height of Almatti dam to 524.5m, a move they said will have adverse impact on kharif cropping in at least half a dozen districts.
Parthasarathi said Pulichintal multipurpose irrigation project, which will be dedicated to people by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on December 8, will benefit Krishna delta.
Meanwhile, TDP and YSR Congress Party on Saturday staged separate protests here in Krishna district against the award.
TDP activists, under the leadership of legislator D Umamaheswara Rao, staged a sit-in at Gollapudi village on the outskirts of the city, blocking traffic on Vijaywada-Hyderabad National Highway. Rao said if the award is implemented, the Krishna delta would become a "desert" in future.
YSR Congress workers and leaders staged a protest in another part of the city.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Andhra-Pradesh-to-move-Supreme-Court-against-Krishna-Water-Tribunal-award/articleshow/26633339.cms
Talking to media persons here, minister for secondary education K Parthasarathi said the government of Andhra Pradesh would definitely approach the Supreme Court to seek "justice" for the state on Krishna Water Tribunal award, which has evoked sharp criticism from Opposition parties here.
He, however, did not say when the state will approach the apex court.
The tribunal, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, came out with its final award on Friday. It allotted four thousand million cubic (TMC) of water from Karnataka's share to Andhra Pradesh and at the same time allowed the former to increase the storage in Almatti dam to 524.256 meters.
Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh have called the award a "death blow" to the state, particularly to the Krishna Delta region. They have maintained that the increase in water share to Andhra Pradesh was "negligible".
In the interim award given on December 30, 2010 AP had got 1,001 TMC of water, Karnataka 911 TMC and Maharashtra 666 TMC from the river. Prior to that allocation was 811 TMC for Andhra, 734 TMC for Karnataka and 585 TMC for Maharashtra.
The parties are strongly opposed to permission given to Karnataka for raising the height of Almatti dam to 524.5m, a move they said will have adverse impact on kharif cropping in at least half a dozen districts.
Parthasarathi said Pulichintal multipurpose irrigation project, which will be dedicated to people by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on December 8, will benefit Krishna delta.
Meanwhile, TDP and YSR Congress Party on Saturday staged separate protests here in Krishna district against the award.
TDP activists, under the leadership of legislator D Umamaheswara Rao, staged a sit-in at Gollapudi village on the outskirts of the city, blocking traffic on Vijaywada-Hyderabad National Highway. Rao said if the award is implemented, the Krishna delta would become a "desert" in future.
YSR Congress workers and leaders staged a protest in another part of the city.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Andhra-Pradesh-to-move-Supreme-Court-against-Krishna-Water-Tribunal-award/articleshow/26633339.cms
Farmers demand water for irrigation projects
AURANGABAD: Since 11.30am on Friday, the Jayakwadi Pani Sangharsha Kruti Samiti members have locked themselves in the office of A B Jogdand, executive engineer at Command Area Development Authority (CADA), demanding immediate release of water in Hiradpuri and Apegaon dams in Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district. Jogdand is on his official tour and is expected to get back late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
The police are on CADA premises to check any untoward incident. Samiti members claimed that they would only leave the locked cabin once their demands were submitted in writing to Jogdand. Jaisingh Hire, sectional engineer at CADA, said that no police action has been advised by higher authorities so far.
"The water resources minister Sunil Tatkare on October 28 had assured release of water in the two dams. However, no action has been taken by the administration," said Jayajirao Suryawanshi, president of the Samiti. All minor dams from Jalna to Paithan, excepet Hiradpuri and Apegaon, have sufficient water, he added.
"The farmers resorted to indefinite fast at Hiradpuri dam on Thursday, but since there was no assurance from the department, they had to resort to the lock-in," said Suryawanshi on Friday. The government should understand the importance and release the water immediately, the Samiti demanded.
Hire said that around 0.53 Thousand Million Cubic (TMC) feet equivalent to 15 Million Metric Cube (mm3) was released after the instructions received from the ministry. However, the released amount did not help achieve the required levels in the two dams.
"Another proposal for additional release was made on November 22 to higher authorities and is being followed up. Once the approval arrives, water would be released," he said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/Farmers-demand-water-for-irrigation-projects/articleshow/26603941.cms
The police are on CADA premises to check any untoward incident. Samiti members claimed that they would only leave the locked cabin once their demands were submitted in writing to Jogdand. Jaisingh Hire, sectional engineer at CADA, said that no police action has been advised by higher authorities so far.
"The water resources minister Sunil Tatkare on October 28 had assured release of water in the two dams. However, no action has been taken by the administration," said Jayajirao Suryawanshi, president of the Samiti. All minor dams from Jalna to Paithan, excepet Hiradpuri and Apegaon, have sufficient water, he added.
"The farmers resorted to indefinite fast at Hiradpuri dam on Thursday, but since there was no assurance from the department, they had to resort to the lock-in," said Suryawanshi on Friday. The government should understand the importance and release the water immediately, the Samiti demanded.
Hire said that around 0.53 Thousand Million Cubic (TMC) feet equivalent to 15 Million Metric Cube (mm3) was released after the instructions received from the ministry. However, the released amount did not help achieve the required levels in the two dams.
"Another proposal for additional release was made on November 22 to higher authorities and is being followed up. Once the approval arrives, water would be released," he said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/Farmers-demand-water-for-irrigation-projects/articleshow/26603941.cms
No water, sewage connection without occupancy certificate
NAGPUR: Over 90% buildings in the city are not having occupancy certificate though it is mandatory. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) have so far remained mute spectators to it by not taking any action against people who start using buildings without this document that ensures construction is as per the sanctioned plan and also safe for occupation.
Municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane has now come up with a policy to compel builders and individuals to obtain this certificate. NMC will not provide water and sewage connections to buildings unless they have occupancy certificate.
Corporators, builders and activists have welcomed the civic chief's decision. The town planning department has drafted the new policy and submitted to Wardhane who is set to notify it in couple of days. The norm, however, will be applicable to all new buildings and not existing ones.
There is also a provision of action against the officials concerned if water and sewage connections are without occupancy certificate. It will also be applicable to buildings sanctioned by NIT.
While welcoming the new norm, activist Narayan Ahuja said that it should also cover the existing buildings.
"Occupancy certificate is crucial as it is issued only after structural examination by engineers which would ensure safety of the structure and also occupant. Besides, the builder has to comply with all fire safety norms. Wardhane should direct the officials of town planning department not to issue the certificate before compliance of fire safety. Town planning department is famous for sanctioning building plans without ensuring fire NOC which is mandatory," he said.
Stating that new norm would prevent the common man from being cheated by the builders, corporator Parinay Fuke said that sale deed should also not be registered without the occupancy certificate.
"It will help citizens check for occupancy certificate from the builder before purchasing the flats. The engineers and other officials should examine the structures promptly. The New norm should not become another reason for harassing people and there should be prescribed time limit for issuing the certificate," he said.
Builder Prashant Borele said it would help in verifying whether structure was built according to sanctioned plan.
"It becomes a headache for builders in case one later gets notice for any minor changes in the construction. Builders will also benefit as consumers can be convinced easily by showing occupancy certificate. But what about existing buildings? They should also be covered under the new norm," he demanded.
First occupy the occupancy certificate
* Occupancy certificate (OC) is mandatory for occupying any new or revised building according to bylaws
* OC is important as it is issued only after structural examination and verification of fire safety norms
* Over 90% buildings in the city are not having OC, thus violating the norms
* NMC and NIT so far remained mute spectators by not taking any action against the violators
* New norm to come into effect making OC mandatory for water connection and sewage
* Action will be taken against the concerned officials if they release the connections despite lack of certificate
*All will ensure that they get OC as it is almost impossible to live without water and sewage disposal system in place
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/No-water-sewage-connection-without-occupancy-certificate/articleshow/26600583.cms
Municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane has now come up with a policy to compel builders and individuals to obtain this certificate. NMC will not provide water and sewage connections to buildings unless they have occupancy certificate.
Corporators, builders and activists have welcomed the civic chief's decision. The town planning department has drafted the new policy and submitted to Wardhane who is set to notify it in couple of days. The norm, however, will be applicable to all new buildings and not existing ones.
There is also a provision of action against the officials concerned if water and sewage connections are without occupancy certificate. It will also be applicable to buildings sanctioned by NIT.
While welcoming the new norm, activist Narayan Ahuja said that it should also cover the existing buildings.
"Occupancy certificate is crucial as it is issued only after structural examination by engineers which would ensure safety of the structure and also occupant. Besides, the builder has to comply with all fire safety norms. Wardhane should direct the officials of town planning department not to issue the certificate before compliance of fire safety. Town planning department is famous for sanctioning building plans without ensuring fire NOC which is mandatory," he said.
Stating that new norm would prevent the common man from being cheated by the builders, corporator Parinay Fuke said that sale deed should also not be registered without the occupancy certificate.
"It will help citizens check for occupancy certificate from the builder before purchasing the flats. The engineers and other officials should examine the structures promptly. The New norm should not become another reason for harassing people and there should be prescribed time limit for issuing the certificate," he said.
Builder Prashant Borele said it would help in verifying whether structure was built according to sanctioned plan.
"It becomes a headache for builders in case one later gets notice for any minor changes in the construction. Builders will also benefit as consumers can be convinced easily by showing occupancy certificate. But what about existing buildings? They should also be covered under the new norm," he demanded.
First occupy the occupancy certificate
* Occupancy certificate (OC) is mandatory for occupying any new or revised building according to bylaws
* OC is important as it is issued only after structural examination and verification of fire safety norms
* Over 90% buildings in the city are not having OC, thus violating the norms
* NMC and NIT so far remained mute spectators by not taking any action against the violators
* New norm to come into effect making OC mandatory for water connection and sewage
* Action will be taken against the concerned officials if they release the connections despite lack of certificate
*All will ensure that they get OC as it is almost impossible to live without water and sewage disposal system in place
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/No-water-sewage-connection-without-occupancy-certificate/articleshow/26600583.cms
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