Stricter rules: Governor issues KWSB amendment ordinance

Perpetrators may be imprisoned for up to 10 years & may be fined up to Rs1 million or both if found violating the law

KARACHI:

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan promulgated the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 on Thursday.

The amendment aims “to provide and maintain a safe and secure water supply for drinking and domestic use to the residents of Karachi [for which] it is expedient to assure a smooth and uninterrupted flow from the source to the destination and take stern action against those involved in water theft, illegal hydrants, outlet connections and are causing damage to water trunks.”

The perpetrators may be imprisoned for up to 10 years and may be fined up to Rs1 million or both if found violating the law, said a statement. The offences can be damaging the infrastructure, puncturing water trunk mains, canals, pumping stations, conduits, siphons, reservoirs and chambers of the board for any purpose.

Anyone found selling water, taking illegal connections or establishing illegal hydrants for industrial, commercial or residential use and encroaching upon the land of the board shall be punished under the new law.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2015.