Coimbatore: DMK MLA N Karthik of Singanallur Constituency here has lambasted against the ongoing Suez water distribution project and claimed it as anti-people project which will yield no benefit to the people. The project is a complete mess and is nothing short of an inconvenience to the people, as most of the roads are disfigured in the name of laying pipelines, the MLA accused.
Coimbatore: DMK MLA N Karthik of Singanallur Constituency here has lambasted against the ongoing Suez water distribution project and claimed it as anti-people project which will yield no benefit to the people. The project is a complete mess and is nothing short of an inconvenience to the people, as most of the roads are disfigured in the name of laying pipelines, the MLA accused.
Recalling the early days when the contract was sketched to be awarded to the french-based multinational company, MLA Karthik claims that even after the opposition parties registering their disapproval of awarding water distribution contract to a multinational company, the Coimbatore Corporation administration paid no heed.
"Even then, we questioned the need to sanction this contract in a hurried manner to a multinational company, when supply of drinking water across Tamil Nadu is vested with Tamil Nadu Drinking Water Drainage Board", the MLA told in a statement.
"On what basis was Suez Company selected for water distribution in Coimbatore? Without knowing the company's efficacy in carrying out the project seamlessly, why the contract was awarded for 26 years? Now, its been three years since the Rs.3150 crore contract for 26 years was awarded but yet the company is struggling to commence the process of water distribution," the MLA criticised.
MLA Karthik in his statement has questioned, if Coimbatore Corporation, be able to control the water tariff by giving the project to a for-profit multinational corporation?
Despite a series of agitatons by DMK and allied political parties and strong disapproval from the people, the Coimbatore Corporation was hell-bent on awarding the contract to the multinational company on June 25, 2018.
Following which, DMK President MK Stalin issued a statement condemning the move. As water is an essential need of the people, DMK leader vehemently opposed government's move to grant a contract for 26 years to a multinational company to take care of water distribution in Coimbatore.
"Meanwhile, the Suez company is struggling to implement the project. Messy roads and damage done to existing pipelines has forced motorists and public to face immense inconvenience, on a daily basis. People are clueless, if the project will be implemented or futher delayed?", the MLA accused.
Bumpy roads, fatal potholes and breakage of existing pipelines is the progress made by Suez, so far. The snail pace work and the prevailing administrative issues in executing the project has turned to be a major detterent. Pipelines damaged during digging the roads to relay new pipes are left unattended. As repair works are often delayed, gallons of water is oozed out on streets. The messy situation has affected the tax payers who are facing the wrath of irregularities of drinking water supply", the MLA accused.
While the Rs.3150 contract rewarded to Suez is the tax payers money, the people have all rights to question the feasibility of the project. The tax payers who are entitled to reap the benefits of the project are left is dismay. Continous setbacks and inordinate delays is a proof for the inefficacy of the project, the MLA accused.
Even after all these discrepancies and dissatisfaction, the Coimbatore Corporation which claims that there is no malpractices in the contract continues to be shady in publishing the contract details, MLA Karthik accused.
While all concerted efforts, protests and condemnations to protect people's interest by revoking the contract has fallen in deaf ears, a massive protest with people's participation will be held on my behalf against the Corporation and the Tamil Nadu State government which has miserably failed to provide water to its people through its water board, instead opted to lease out the work to a multi national company.
Recalling the early days when the contract was sketched to be awarded to the french-based multinational company, MLA Karthik claims that even after the opposition parties registering their disapproval of awarding water distribution contract to a multinational company, the Coimbatore Corporation administration paid no heed.
"Even then, we questioned the need to sanction this contract in a hurried manner to a multinational company, when supply of drinking water across Tamil Nadu is vested with Tamil Nadu Drinking Water Drainage Board", the MLA told in a statement.
"On what basis was Suez Company selected for water distribution in Coimbatore? Without knowing the company's efficacy in carrying out the project seamlessly, why the contract was awarded for 26 years? Now, its been three years since the Rs.3150 crore contract for 26 years was awarded but yet the company is struggling to commence the process of water distribution," the MLA criticised.
MLA Karthik in his statement has questioned, if Coimbatore Corporation, be able to control the water tariff by giving the project to a for-profit multinational corporation?
Despite a series of agitatons by DMK and allied political parties and strong disapproval from the people, the Coimbatore Corporation was hell-bent on awarding the contract to the multinational company on June 25, 2018.
Following which, DMK President MK Stalin issued a statement condemning the move. As water is an essential need of the people, DMK leader vehemently opposed government's move to grant a contract for 26 years to a multinational company to take care of water distribution in Coimbatore.
"Meanwhile, the Suez company is struggling to implement the project. Messy roads and damage done to existing pipelines has forced motorists and public to face immense inconvenience, on a daily basis. People are clueless, if the project will be implemented or futher delayed?", the MLA accused.
Bumpy roads, fatal potholes and breakage of existing pipelines is the progress made by Suez, so far. The snail pace work and the prevailing administrative issues in executing the project has turned to be a major detterent. Pipelines damaged during digging the roads to relay new pipes are left unattended. As repair works are often delayed, gallons of water is oozed out on streets. The messy situation has affected the tax payers who are facing the wrath of irregularities of drinking water supply", the MLA accused.
While the Rs.3150 contract rewarded to Suez is the tax payers money, the people have all rights to question the feasibility of the project. The tax payers who are entitled to reap the benefits of the project are left is dismay. Continous setbacks and inordinate delays is a proof for the inefficacy of the project, the MLA accused.
Even after all these discrepancies and dissatisfaction, the Coimbatore Corporation which claims that there is no malpractices in the contract continues to be shady in publishing the contract details, MLA Karthik accused.
While all concerted efforts, protests and condemnations to protect people's interest by revoking the contract has fallen in deaf ears, a massive protest with people's participation will be held on my behalf against the Corporation and the Tamil Nadu State government which has miserably failed to provide water to its people through its water board, instead opted to lease out the work to a multi national company.