KARACHI: Governor Sindh, Dr.Ishrat ul Ebad Khan has ordered registration of FIRs against persons involved in theft of water from the lines of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) under section 14-A of the Board for punishment of their act according to law which includes imprisonment, fine and forfeiture of immovable property.
This he said while presiding over a review meeting of KW&SB here Tuesday at Governor House.
Minister Local Government Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary Sindh Muhammad Siddique Memon, Commissioner Karachi Syed Asif Haider Shah and officers of KW&SB attended the meeting.
Governor Sindh said that as this crime is non-bailable the person involved in this crime should immediately stop such acts.
He said that KW&SB by concentrating on four major things could serve Karachiites more effectively which include generation, transmission, distribution and filtration of potable water.
Short, medium and long term plan should be envisaged in this regard and where the theft of water is more, must be indicated so as to take punitive action against persons involved, he directed.
Governor Sindh ordered installation of filtration and purification plants at all 156 pumping stations of Karachi so as to ensure supply of purified water to masses of that area and adjoining localities.
Due to supply of unpurified water many water borne diseases are produced, which could be avoided by adding required quantity of chlorine in potable water, he added.
Ebad said that revenue collection by KW&SB is another problem which require immediate attention as delay in timely collection of dues increases financial crisis of the Board.
He said that despite pumping of more than 500 MGD water from Dhabejee, Karachiites are getting average 230 MGD water daily, the main reason of which are theft, leakages and line losses which should be looked into by the authorities of the Board.
Dr. Ebad said that provincial Government was striving its utmost to resolve the problems of the Board. It has paid dues of Rs. 9 billion to K-Electric on behalf of KW&SB and has pledged to pay the monthly electric bills also.
He further directed for release of advertisement of Hub Dam Water Supply Scheme which would ensure supply of an estimated 50 MGD water to Karachi.
The Board should also prepare a comprehensive plan for judicious distribution of water to all parts of Karachi during Ramazan-ul-Mubarak and the entire summer season, he further directed.
Governor also issued instructions for installation of metres at all pumping stations of the Board so as to have a clear picture of water pumped and consumed.
A viable strategy should also be chalked out for gradual replacement of outdated idle machinery so as to improve the overall percentage of supply of water to Karachi.
Minister Local Government Jam Khan Shoro informed the Governor that last year 24 Hydrants of KW&SB were operational in Karachi which have been reduced to 11 this year, while 56 sub soil Hydrants have also been closed.
He further said that Chief Minister Sindh has cleared dues of Rs. 140 million of water tanker owners while he has also sanctioned funds for Hub, Dhabejee and other development projects of KW&SB.
He said that KW&SB is determined to serve Karachiites with utmost devotion and dedication.
Managing Director, KW&SB, Misbah uddin Fareed informed Governor Sindh that increasing population, theft of water, illegal Hydrants and leakages from old and dilapidated lines of the Board are main bottle-necks in the working of KW&SB.
Apart from 156 water pumping stations it also manages 20 sewerage pumping station in city, he added.
He asked that SBCA and Cantonment Boards must be directed to pay a share from betterment charges and commercial tax to KW&SB. He also briefed Governor Sindh about various projects of water supply initiated in different periods, in detail.
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