Big names have come up in drive against water theft in Daltonganj. Sources said the Medininagar Parshad has started a drive against water theft. The water thieves are those, who steal water from the main distribution pipes. On Monday, a team led by a magistrate, technician, tax daroga pipeline inspector and police force raided a posh area and according to sources, wealthy and top government officials were found stealing water. The team disconnected an illegal contact of water in a house of a Government servant.
The executive officer of Medininagar Nagar Parshad Arun K Bharti has confirmed the start of the drive saying the DC Palamu K Srinivasan has asked to go all out against those, who are stealing water in this hot summer. Bharti refused to give the names, who have been caught as defaulters. The executive officer said people pay their electricity bills, telephone bills, but when it comes to paying the water tax, they avoid doing it.
The water tax is just Rs135 a month. Bharti said these days, people buy cold water for Rs15 a bottle, but for a month, coughing up Rs135 for water becomes burden for some. He said this habit and attitude must change otherwise, Medininagar Nagar Parshad where Bharti holds the post of executive officer will take strict action against the defaulters. For over four months, the sweepers and other staff of Nagar Parshad have not got any salary. The monthly Budget of the Nagar Parshad is Rs19 lakh, but the tax that comes per month is too small.