KARACHI, April 9: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday announced a new plan for recovery of water bills and decentralisation of the dues collection system by authorising union councils to manage the affairs.
Unfolding the plan during his address in the jam-packed house of City Council here on Monday, Mr Kamal said that under the new system, every union council would have a separate bureau, headed by an ‘inspector’, with responsibility of water bills collection from consumers.
He told the house that each bureau would use a completely computerised system with data of all households falling in its respective jurisdiction.
Regarding the revenues, the city nazim said that 75 per cent of the total revenues would be retained by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board whereas 20 per cent would be kept by the UC and the remaining five by the town concerned.
He expressed the confidence that the new system would help end corruption in the process of recovery, adding that the inspector showing distinguishing performance would suitably rewarded. He hoped that all members of the council would extend their full cooperation in making the plan a success. He, however, did not give a precise date for the implementation of the plan or how would the arrears of defaulters be recovered.
Earlier, Naib City Nazim Nasreen Jalil presided over the City Council session when it resumed at 3:35pm on Monday.
When the city nazim was invited to make the announcement, the treasury members welcomed him but opposition members, led by Saeed Ghani, stood up and drew the chair’s attention to the electricity crisis in the metropolis over the past couple of weeks.
Ms Jalil tried to soothe opposition members by saying that the power crisis was a very important issue and would definitely be discussed on the floor of the house but some other day as the order of the day specifically mentioned announcement of the plan by the city nazim. Her argument cast no impact on the opposition members who insisted on taking up the issue first.
Ignoring their insistence and uproar, the city nazim went on to unveil his plan and receive applause from the treasury side.
Treasury leader Masood Mehmood also tried to calm down the agitating members but in vain.
During his speech, Mr Kamal advised the opposition to shun the practice of ‘opposition for the sake of opposition’ and let the Haq Parast leadership to continue with its service to the people without any discrimination. He cited the ongoing development schemes, including those being executed in Lyari and Gadap towns.
He also spoke of a Rs800 million package for various uplift projects in Lyari, and informed the house that 35 per cent work on the Lyari Expressway project had been completed.
The city nazim pointed out that laying of pipelines in the K-3 water supply project had been delayed by a petition filed in the high court, which had since rejected it after going through the facts provided by the respondents.
He held Pakistan People’s Party leaders responsible for the obstacles created in the way of the execution of the project, regretting that a delay of three months had been caused. He claimed he could prove that the person who had filed the petition belonged to the PPP.
The city nazim told the people of Lyari Town that now they could easily recognise their friends and foes and realise who were actually responsible for the lingering problem of water shortage and the failure to resolve it. He reiterated the pledge that Haq Parast Group would remain firm in resolving the issue despite all odds.
The nazim’s remarks against PPP provoked many opposition members who reacted strongly and stood up on their seats to challenge his claims. The treasury members responded in a same manner, creating a rumpus.
Amid pandemonium, the nazim remained steadfast, maintaining that he had answered to what had been asked to him.
The chair repeatedly asked the agitating members to calm down and maintain decorum of the house but the rumpus continued with both the sides raising full-throat slogans. The city nazim had to cut short his speech and the presiding officer announced adjournment of the session till Tuesday.
