Local Committees continue to challenge the Government’s decision for water supply

Kathmandu / Sept 27: The local consumer committees formed to facilitate people’s access to drinking water are found indulged in irregular activities and challenging the Government’s decisions.

Following reports of irregularities by such committees the Government decided to scrap such committees and issued directives to the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) to connect the water taps from community managed water lines without their decisions. However, the local committees have been blocking the process and creating trouble to new committees.

The local water user committee of Shantipriya Marg of Budanilkantha Municipality-8 has been blocking connection of new water taps even though the customers have fulfilled all obligations and received approval from KUKL for water connection. One customer, who consumer, who has been waiting for connecting her water tap informed that the local committees blocked the tap connection process when the officials of KUKL came to connect the tap. She complained that it is pity that the committees, which are formed to facilitate the process, are now obstructing the process.

The KUKL Officials did the assessment before approving the tap and found that the supply is sufficient to provide additional five to seven taps.

However, chairperson of the committee Kabiraj Pokharel informed that they will allow to connect the water tap at the appropriate time. He however did not mention when the appropriate time is and what is the basis for blocking the process. He informed Nepalekhabar.com that three members have applied for the water tap and we will decide on appropriate time. However, KUKL officials informed that they so far approved only one tap at the area. Locals of the area termed the statement as irresponsive as they said that his statement is challenging the Government’s decision. At a time when the Government has decided that there is no need of recommendation from the consumer committee, how can the committee challenge the Government and says that they will decide on appropriate time.

KUKL Officials informed that they will connect the tap approved by KUKL with support from local administration if the local committee continue to obstruct the process. In the first phase we discussed with the committee but they do not have any valid reason for obstructing the process, so, we will be compelled to take the support of local administration to complete our work, the official added.

One legal expert complained that the decision of the consumer committee to interfere the jurisdiction of the elected representatives is illegal and deplorable. He demanded that the Government should take immediate action against such committees like it did to break the syndicate of transport sector and ensure smooth supply of services to the local people.