Water distribution monkey business in Shimla town: Citizen forum

Shimla, July 14 – Alleging discrimination in water distribution after the recent rains, a citizens forum here on Friday staged protest claiming while VVIP areas and localities inhabited by bureaucrats and ministerial staff were getting adequate supply, not a drop was reaching the homes of common people.

The Tutu unit of Shimla Nagarik Sabha protested outside the Mayor’s office of Shimla Municipal Corporation against non-supply of water to the public for several days,
The protestors shouted slogans and carried empty vessels alleging that the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited were indulging in monkey business,
The common people including those living on the outskirts have not recieved any water for six days, the protestors complained.

The Nagrik Sabha warned that if regular water is not supplied to the people of Tutu and Shimla, then it will intensify the agitation.
SNS co-convenor Vijender Mehra and Tutu unit secretary Hemraj Chaudhary said the Municipal Corporation has not been able to supply water through water tankers even to the roadside buildings.
People residing in buildings away from the road have been forced to walk a kilometer to fetch water from hand pumps.
The municipal corporation claimed that it is getting one-third of the normal water supply.
The citizens forum said according to this estimate, water should be supplied to the people of Shimla City and Tutu every third day, but the people have not received water even after a week.
“There is discrimination and nepotism in the distribution of city water. Regular supply of water is being done in the areas and colonies of influential people while the general public is crying foul for water.
The SMC has different approach and double standards for water supply in Shimla city for influential persons and general public,” Mehra said.