Water privatization can only benefit corporate giants – Kshitiraj Urs

Water privatization can only benefit corporate giants – Kshitiraj Urs

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 11, 2012 : Addressing the gathering at a discussion on water issues organized by the Citizen’s Forum for Mangalore Development in Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work on April 10 Tuesday, Kshitiraj Urs of the Karnataka People’s Campaign for Right to Water, said that Mangalore, like Hubli, Shimoga, and Dharward, will soon feel the adverse effects of privatizing water.

Stating that corporate giants, which attempted to make money from water in Africa and South America, could not do so because of public protests, he said that these companies are now turning to India. The government of the Karnataka was the first in India to privatize water supply.

He said that the government cannot shake off its responsibility to provide adequate drinking water to all citizens.

Regarding the rise in the cost of water, he said that people in Hubli and Dharwad are paying ten times more than what they used to pay before the privatization of water. Privatization has taken place in most places because of the agreement formed between bureaucrats and corporate giants.

Pointing out that the DC of a particular city waited till the dissolution of the elected council to sign an agreement with a French company, he warned that this might happen in Mangalore too.

He also informed that the National Water Policy and Karnataka Water Policy are formed as per the directives of the World Bank to assist corporate giants. The 11th Five Year Plan is formulated neither by elected representatives nor by the cabinet, but by a private firm called Price Water House Coopers, which has for clients a number of multi national companies. The secret agenda to organize the World Water Summit in Bangalore was to benefit these companies, he added. He also said that the Rs. 147 crore earmarked for water issues in Mangalore is a plan proposed by the World Bank two years back.

The only solution for the water privatization disaster, according to Mr. Urs, is to create public awareness. Citing the example of Mysore, he said that privatization of water supply was withdrawn by the CM just a few days back.