July 6, 2003

As happens every summer, Karachiites are at the mercy of the adminsitration which claims to have woes of its own

THIS year a wave of panic spread amongst the personnel of the Karachi water management who were making preparations to convert the oncoming season into a ‘profitable’ one. With the political government in place, and the local government councilors in control of the valves, water riots in the city were thought to turn into greater profit margins for all the mafias.

Most of the 8,500 employees of the KWSB were waiting anxiously with itching palms for the sizzling days when the goose would start laying its golden eggs. But the situation in recent days has gone out of hand, with people taking to the streets.

The KWSB stands to spend a lavish amount of Rs. 957.10 million in salaries and benefits during the current fiscal. The amount has risen greatly from Rs.650 million of last year. However, mismanagement, out-of-turn promotions, advance increments, new appointments on a political basis and ghost employees are some of the elements that are likely to take the total expenditure to Rs. 2,873.711 million by the end of the fiscal. But not much of it would bring any relief to the water-starved people of Karachi.

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board had witnessed protests over water shortages in the tail ending areas before summer began while the mercury was still at a tolerable level. The demonstrations were triggered by a tussle between the politicians and councilors, the latter had allegedly diverted the water flow towards areas where they had bagged a higher tally of votes.

In certain areas, the tanker mafia had financed artificial shortages to make hay as the temperatures soared.

The water crisis is also a result of the irregular supply of electricity to pumping stations. The obsolete equipment used by the KESC causes voltage fluctuation, the tripping of feeders and pole-mounted transformers badly affecting the supply to the city.

Karachiites have little hope of escape from the ranks of the water board even after changes in the administrative structure following elections under the devolution of power formula.

The management may have made efforts towards the implementation of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 in ensuring that no disruption is caused in the delivery of vital civic services but the provisions of the Ordinance has initiated a major political struggle over controls.

The Board is now functioning under the City Nazim with a managing director from the army and the deputy managing director from the civil services. And as these can never agree that leaves out any hope of cooperation and coordination in the Board’s operations. The amended ordinance is scheduled to be discussed in the Sindh Assembly, but prospects of reaching a consensus for the conversion of the amendments into an Act appear remote amidst the usual rumpus that highlights the assembly proceedings.

Coming to the most important aspect of water management in the city — the supply lines — Karachi is getting a total of 420 MGD against a demand of 650 MGD. There was some respite when the Board received 100 MGD as additional supply after the completion of K-III prefect. But the advantage was squandered as a result of the dwindling collection of water at the Hub Dam because of less rains in catchments. The supply from the Hub Dam has now receached a precarious level- the supply is only of 17 MGD.

But, during the hot days, the focus is on the 420 MGD available to the Board for distribution. Officials refused to divulge how much water is being pumped into the hydrants that never run dry, for which one has to pay despite the fact that one has paid for it through taxes and has thus a right to it. The hydrants in the city have been taken over by the Pakistan Rangers. Thousands of private tankers have been hired to sell the water in those areas where the supplies are affected, through the nine hydrants located in different parts of the city. In a recent order the city government closed all private hydrants, licensed or unlicensed. Their fate now hangs in the balance dependent on the reports of the city councilors. Pakistan Rangers is set to take over control of all the private hydrants of the city. Whether the action provides any respite to the long water queues is another matter.

Those who can afford to stay away from the lines of the thirsty will have to pay. According to details available from thePakistan Rangers the cost for 1200 gallons is Rs. 275, for 2400 gallons Rs. 375 and for 3600 gallons Rs. 550. The Board is pocketing Rs. 150 against filling charges per tanker. In some areas private tankers have been given a free hand and the Rangers have no control over the price that is being charged by the private vehicles. The Rangers collect Rs. 73 per thousand gallons which is sold at any price, determined by weather conditions and dependent upon location. City dwellers believe that if the tanker system is abolished, there will be enough water for everyone but that is a remote possibility.

Taking advantage of the inefficiency and corruption in the KWSB, the National Logistic Cell has joined the fray. The NLC is another military organ which has taken advantage of the controversial distribution. They have a fleet of 80 vehicles and purchase water at Rs. 73 per thousand gallons. Their tankers are plying mostly to the industrial areas and the National Refinery. Details provided by NLC water management wing reveal that 150 personnel are deployed far the cell. Their vehicles make 250-260 trips per day, which will increase during the next two months. They paid over Rs. 14 million to the KWSB asdues, last year. NLC’s filling station is located at Safoora Gosh. The NLC is selling water to domestic consumers at Rs. 278.50 per thousand gallons. The profit earned goes into salaries and the maintenance of vehicles.

The Board’s engineering department fears a law and order situation during the sultry summer, The deficit of 230 MOD water supply predicts for a dreadful scenario.Things may not ease with the limited supplement provided by the private hydrants that extract subsoil salty water through tube wells. People are forced to pay a high price for this water. The real problem that diminishes supply are leakages and pilferage which increased to 35~0% during summer and remain unchecked. In most of the areas old pipelines have been eroded or damaged by looters. It’s a hectic and expensive task to replace these pipelines and arrest the water thieves but the Board has to accept the responsibility as their employees are paid to work for the maintenance of the distribution system.

Water distribution through hydrants can only be justified if it is free of charge otherwise there is no justification for its sale particularly after the recent revision of taxes. The authorities expect a 10% surge in the collection of revenue as a result of the new tariff.

Shockingly councilors of the respective areas created confusion by creating the impression that after the devolution of power they had the power to collect the water and sewerage taxes within their constituency. The collection of revenues suffered a heavy setback until a proper notification was issued by the government recently. There is no clue as to the total amount that had been collected by the councilors and whether the collection went to coffers of the Board.

Not sprisingly, Rs. 2806.651 million remains outstanding as water and sewerage charges against the federal and provincial governments. And despite the matter being taken to the highest level, no department has made any effort to settle the dues. In the other areas, revenue collection suffered from the inefficiency and negligence of the staff. The Board management admitted that a large number of show cause notices had been issued to slumbering and corrupt employees but they expect no positive results because of the government’s lop-sided secant rules which permit strict punitive action like thetermination of services but only after a lengthy and cumbersome procedure seldom completed to achieve the purpose.

The list of defaulters are a shock to water consumers who pay their taxes regularly yet fail to see running water in their taps. According to details the number of defaulters who owe the Board over Rs. 100,000 is 2727. The outstanding dues against them is around Rs. 1.4136 billion. The total number of defaulters is around 600,000 and the total defaulted amount has risen to around Rs. 4 billion. The arrears on water charges continue to mount as out of a billing amount of Rs. 800 million only 500~00 million is recovered.

Officials of the Board remain unaware as there is no law in the organization to allow them torecover the outstanding dues. The police fail to register any case of stealing water or of ‘tightening the valve to create an artificial shortage.’ Councilors and politicians are immune from any form of punitive action for the diversion of the water supply to areas of their choice or for collecting taxes in violation of the provisions of the Ordinance.

The defaulters, on their part, complain that despite their pleas no water supply to their premises for months and years has been made available. They are forced to purchase water from other sources.

Obviously they are under no obligation to pay taxes for a thing which does not exist.

There is no way to authenticate the claims of the consumers.

The Board on itsr part has issued its latest list of defaulters. It is a heavy document, but those who have outstanding dues of over Rs. 2 million include:

Mian Saifullah (high rise): Rs. 2,581,770; Sindh Provincial Cooperative Bank: 2,147,654; Yousaf Ali & Sons Ltd. (commercial): 3,424,828; Amina Bai w/o Hali Adam (com): 6,495,990; M/s. Unique Ltd. (office): 5,510,398; National Bank of Pakistan(HR), 11,937,863; American Life Insurance Company(HR): 27,799,383; Premier Insurance Company(HR): 4,450,492; State Life Insurance Corporation(com): 61,745,989; M/s Ralli Brothers Ltd. (HR): 3,918,809; Mohammad Usman Hajra Bai Trust: 7,183,326; Karachi Club: 21,51,402; Hotel Plaza International: 3,481,553; Mrs. Zarina Butt(com): 2,048,744; Karim Center(com): 2,699,632; S.M. Mehboob Bux & others(com): 2,884,862; Sirajuddin Paracha(com): 2,038,285; Shariq Akhtar(com): 2,309,780; Press Associated Ltd.(com): 2.124,519; Ali Husssain Akhtar Ali(com): 2,585,082; Medicare (pvt) Ltd. (hospital) : 2,647,003; H.R. Sons(com): 5,473,386; Glamour One(HR): 4,360,298; Sh. Sher Ali(com): 2,501,512; New York Polyclinic (hosp): 2,591,736; Global Marketing(com): 4,364,298; Islamic Culture & Research: 5,915,592; U.B.L. Sports Complex: 41,651,564; Customs Sports Complex: 33,657,957; Hali Bashir & others(com); 2,698,111; Kenhill Ltd.(com): 5,443,372; M/s Siza Services(com}; 18,917,893; Mohammad usman Jokhio(office): 2,174,252; Pak Maniar Investment(off): 2,383,949; Ejazurehman(off): 4,602,301; Mrs. Razia Begum(com): 2,608,928; M/s. Tawakal(pvt) Ltd.(com): 4,136,929; M/s Mian Sian Pervez Akhtar(com): 3,908,733; M/s National Industrial Management(com): 2,028,130; M/s Pioneer Cement Ltd.(com): 6,120,037; M/s Pangario Sugar Mills(com): 4,192,249; M/s Gulistan Textiles(com): 6,256,715; Safayer Agency (pvt) Ltd.(com): 3,621,694; M/s Nadeem Enterprises(com): 3,380,669; Mrs. Gulshan Ara(com): 4,125,461; Mohammed Haroon(mamage hall): 2,009,869.

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