SECUNDERABAD: Resident welfare associations (RWAs)of Secunderabad Cantonment have raised objections towards fixing of flow water meters, levying fresh charges and imposing restrictions on the usage of groundwater under the new regulations for digging borewells.
RWAs asked Cantonment board officials to take their opinions before finalising the draft regulations. SCB, in its recent board meeting, decided to extend the deadline for filing of objections. Residents of Banjara Bajrang Nagar of Bolarum said the charges prescribed in the draft were arbitrary and no specific guidelines have been mentioned for community borewells.
“There is no provision in the draft to enable us to apply for a certificate of non-availability of adequate drinking water from SCB. This clause must be included in the draft,” a resident said.
Many others complained that SCB was not in a position to ensure adequate drinking water supply and now wants to tax groundwater.
“We are opposing this strongly,” residents said in a representation to chief executive officer of SCB. Cantonment Vikas Manch, an NGO, said that SCB’s draft was unconstitutional and arbitrary.
“Water is a natural source, and citizens can use it as per their requirements. State govt is implementing the Water, Land and Trees Act already ,” it said. An SCB official said they will forward the objections to the defence ministry before taking a decision.
