Judicial commission demands report on water schedule in Baldia

Justice (retd) Muslim directs to decrease the tanker price from Rs1,200 to Rs1,000

KARACHI: The head of the Supreme Court-mandated Commission on Water and Sanitation, Justice (retd) Amir R Hani Muslim, demanded a written report from Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director (MD) Khalid Sheikh regarding the water schedule and ordered to lower prices of tankers in Baldia Town. The hearing took place at the Sindh High Court.



The matter of non-provision of water from hydrants in Baldia Town was discussed. The contractor said that the hydrant was inaugurated by then-mayor Mustafa Kamal in 2009 and people could purchase 1,200 gallons of water for Rs1,200 after standing for their turn in queues.  Sheikh said that the provision of water becomes possible after every 4-5 days. The commission remarked that the SC had granted permission for six-hydrants and thus, a seventh was illegal. The commission added that if the common man was benefitting from the seventh hydrant and getting water free of charge then it was not an issue, but the unsatisfactory performance of KWSB employees on Baldia Town hydrant was.

The commission directed to decrease the tanker price from Rs1,200 to Rs600. Sheikh said that those who brought small cans and canisters get water free of charge.

The commission further ordered that the employees stationed there for more than six years should be removed as they issue tokens to the people, and in doing do they effectively become the bosses. Sheikh confessed that while not all of the company's employees were corrupt, some did steal water.



A lawyer complained before the commission that Bilawal House received free of charge water tankers, while he hadn't received water despite paying. Justice Muslim replied that he was aware of the allegation and assured that this was not the case. He added that since he began heading the water commission, Bilawal House hadn't been provided water free of charge. Sheikh added that while Bilawal House previously didn't pay for water, they did now. The commission ordered that the lawyer be provided water tankers.

The commission directed the water board to provide water 12 hours per week and directed the contractor to provide water at lower rates under the supervision of Rangers. Justice Muslim ordered the contractor to provide water to residential areas only.

Sheikh and the contractor requested the commission to increase the prices of tankers and the commission allowed the tankers to be sold for Rs1,000. The commission adjourned the proceedings till October 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2018.