Delhi govt mulls role of private players in water distribution

A week after the Planning Commission's directive about focusing on water sector, Delhi government on Wednesday set up a high-powered committee to come up with a roadmap for bringing in private players in distribution of water in the city.

A week after the Planning Commission's directive about focusing on water sector, Delhi government on Wednesday set up a high-powered committee to come up with a roadmap for bringing in private players in distribution of water in the city.

HT Image

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit allayed fears about role of private players as she said, "This is no privatisation. This (step) is to make distribution of water better." Earlier, the topic had been debated during the budget session of the Delhi Assembly as well.

The decision to form the committee was taken at a meeting presided over by Dikshit — she is also the chairperson of Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

The committee would be headed by chief secretary PK Tripathi and have Ramesh Negi, DJB CEO, RK Shrivastava, urban development secretary and MM Kutty, principal secretary to the chief minister, as members.

"The committee will also take on two experts from the field," Dikshit told HT.

The committee will file its report in a month, after which it will have to be cleared by the DJB and then the cabinet. In its effort to make 'distribution of water better', the government is mulling handing over distribution of water to private companies besides billing and revenue collection.

Last week, the planning commission had asked Delhi government to initiate long term planning in conservation, treatment and efficient distribution of water considering city's continuously increasing population. Dikshit had said the government would put maximum priority on water sector in 12th five year plan.