The government’s notification on the "free water scheme" makes interesting reading. A careful glance shows how the billing math is reworked to provide free of cost water to consumers. The first 16 cubic metres of water may be free, but in a calculated move, the three-tier working on slabs of high-end users has been done away with and a flat rate has come into effect. This means there will be a drastic rise in the billing of those consuming above the free threshold, which could be now up by around 80 per cent. The government has used the above-average water consumer to drive its free water scheme.
While the scheme will give relief to smaller households whose water requirement is within the prescribed limits, a vast section of people will feel the pinch since their bill will shoot up two to three folds. Those residing as joint families, residential complexes, apartments and other housing complexes will be forced to shell out more in water bills since these are not coming within the purview of this scheme, both in terms of definition and usage.
Secondly, the scheme leaves a lot of related issues in limbo. For example, it claims that it will not be applicable for households that have dysfunctional meters. Water and power thefts through faulty meters are common in Goa, and despite the checks and balances, and assurance to plug these leaks, the PWD has failed miserably to curb water pilferage by business establishments, including hotels. PWD has to take responsibility to fix meters and streamline the supply. Marketing the scheme on the pretext of water-saving is bizarre against the quantum of water that is lost on account of inherent systemic failures.
Now that the free tap is turned on, can the government give an assurance on “water for all”? Or will it continue to bask in its meaningless Har Ghar Jal milestone and dole out yearly promises of uninterrupted supply? The free water supply of 16 cubic metres will be a farce if parts of Goa remain parched for days. The free scheme must be supplemented by a consistent water supply. We can imagine a situation where people are protesting against water shortage while the government boasts about free water.
On another note, while the talk has been constantly about revenue, water arrears and one-time settlement schemes, the PWD is yet to work out “ease of payment”. While electricity bills are allowed to be paid via multiple payment gateways and UPIs, the same doesn't hold good for water bills where consumers are put through unnecessary hurdles, leave alone settling disputed bills.
Freebies could be the catchword of the forthcoming elections and sections of people may pounce on schemes given the tough and challenging times at hand. The point here is, there has to be a concerted and genuine effort to alleviate the sufferings of the common man. In a desperate bid to settle political scores, do not make the common man a pawn on the electoral chessboard.
