The News Review:

- Water supply will not be privatised: Commissioner
- Casual connections hit water supply
- Changing priorities in farm sector

Water supply will not be privatised: Commissioner
Hindu – Dec 18, 2006
Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) are implementing the pilot project with the association of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation. Slum dwellers and families falling under low-income group will continue to get free water supply through public taps. Ashraya houses will get free water supply, he explained. Manivannan said already eighty per cent of the work under the project had been completed. The pilot project would become functional by the end of February in Hubli and by March 31 in Dharwad, he said. However the commissioner admitted that there were lapses on part of the KUIDFC officials and Rural and Urban Development Association (RUDA) that has been entrusted with the work of educating the residents of the wards.

Casual connections hit water supply
Hindu – Dec 18, 2006
Mahadevan Often used for construction purposes THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The continuing construction boom in the city coupled with the practice of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to provide `special casual connections’ to construction sites has caused inadequate supply of drinking water in many places in the city. Though the casual connection is given ostensibly to provide drinking water to the labourers at the construction site, this water – purified and treated – is very often used for construction purposes. Moreover, since almost all such connections open out into a sump, there is continuous flow of water in that line. In contrast, there is flow of water in a domestic line only when a tap is opened. The surge in construction of apartment complexes has led to heavy usage of water from casual connections…
Though the casual connection is given ostensibly to provide drinking water to the labourers at the construction site, this water – purified and treated – is very often used for construction purposes. Moreover, since almost all such connections open out into a sump, there is continuous flow of water in that line. In contrast, there is flow of water in a domestic line only when a tap is opened. The surge in construction of apartment complexes has led to heavy usage of water from casual connections. For a builder, the casual connection makes more economic sense than getting water from a tanker lorry. For every kilolitre consumed by a `casual’ consumer, he has to pay Rs.

Changing priorities in farm sector
Pakistan Dawn – Dec 18, 2006
The agricultural policy needs a revision. Pakistan must evolve a strategy to replenish soil fertility through shifting emphasise to forestry and livestock from cultivation. Meanwhile, water resources should be managed to ensure supplies during dry-months. The government should stop subsidies available to agriculture sector (to any sector whatsoever) and divert credit supplies from crops to forestry and livestock. Meanwhile, crop management policy should be brought forth while taking into consideration the water availability in different parts of Pakistan. com Banner Code ————– –>.