100 officers will be fired if you fail to work: judicial commission

Justice (retd) Muslim observes it is KSWB's responsibility to supply water in the city


Our Correspondent April 17, 2018
The KWSB MD admitted that there was no water in Clifton Block 2. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: The judicial commission on water and sanitation came down hard on the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) on Monday for its failure to supply water to many areas of the city.

The commission also directed the authorities to submit reports on pumping stations in Karachi and actions on complaints registered in Tanvir Colony, Orangi Town and other areas.

Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim, the commission's head, said he had been frequently receiving complaints in which complainants wondered how authorities would defend themselves when God held them accountable for not performing their duties. The commission's head warned that if inaction on the part of the authorities continued, he would fire at least 100 officers before his term ended.

The commission expressed its displeasure on the ongoing water crisis in Karachi. People are in serious discomfort due to the non-availability of water, the commission remarked. The commission head asked the KWSB why there was no water in the city.

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Justice (retd) Muslim was informed that the KWSB managing director (MD) could not attend the hearing as he was busy. If the MD was busy, why did the other officers of the water board not come to the hearing? the commission head questioned, expressing his displeasure. Later, the KWSB MD came to the court and responded to the commission's queries.

The commission also made observations on the issue of non-payment to the Chinese company responsible for collecting litter in the city. The commission was informed that the Chinese company's bills for the months of January and February were still outstanding. The commission remarked that it had not asked to suspend payments to the company. It had directed that payments to the company be stopped in the future if it violated its contract.

The commission was informed that litter was strewn across the city due to the shortage of staff. The commission directed the authorities to withhold the salaries of employees who were not performing their duties. The local government secretary informed the commission said that an inter-departmental investigation would be conducted after which the employees who were not coming to work would be fired.

During an exchange with the Chinese company's lawyer, the commission said the company had been operating without a designated quota of 1,000 employees for a full year. According to the contract, the company had to pay the wages of 1,000 employees, the commission observed.

Overflowing sewage is mixing with drinking water, the commission remarked. To a query, the commission was informed that 700 valve men were working in the city. Justice (retd) Muslim asked whether the water board had taken action against even a single valve man for not performing his duties.

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A citizen told the commission that valve men in Baldia Town were private employees, Justice (retd) Muslim said. The commission asked if the water board has started handing pumping stations over to private parties on contractual basis. It ordered the KWSB MD to resolve complaints in Orangi Town, Buffer Zone and other areas of the city.

A lawyer contended that water was also not being supplied to Clifton Block 2, to which the commission replied that the residents of Clifton could afford water tankers, however, those living Orangi Town could not.

The KWSB MD admitted that there was no water in Clifton Block 2. Justice (retd) Muslim observed that it was the responsibility of the water board to supply water free of charge in areas where it was not available. He asked whether those people who were paying water tax needed to pay for water tankers.

Barrister Salahuddin argued that as many as 840 people lost their jobs when the Sunday market near the Malir River was forcibly closed. The commission replied that the market was banned due to the theft of gravel and sand, and encroachments. If permission is given to open markets on the banks of the Malir River and Gujjar stream, land grabbing will start, the commission said.

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Justice (retd) Muslim asked the authorities about the progress in cleaning of the canals. He directed the local government secretary to coordinate with the mayor to resolve issues being faced by the latter. The commission also directed the chief secretary to resolve the issues between the Karachi Development Authority director-general and chief engineer.

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