Left to intensify stir against water meters

Vijayawada: The Left parties here on Monday threatened to paralyse the administration if the officials implemented the decision to install water meters and link water tax with the property tax. The two Left parties, the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) held a signature campaign at Lenin Centre to mobilise peoples' support against the Municipal Corporation's move to introduce water meters for drinking water supply in the city and link water tax with the property tax. Addressing the people on the occasion, CPI city secretary Donepudi Shankar criticised the VMC decision to introduce water meters. He pointed out that the officials have no power to introduce water meters or increase water taxes in the absence of an elected body as per the water by-laws.A He blamed the civic officials for treating drinking water supply on commercial lines and trying to get revenue from water. He said the proposal exposed the inexperience of the officers who forgot the fact that the city was located right on the banks of River Krishna. He sought to advise the officials to mount pressure on the State government and get the pending funds to fill the city coffers rather than taxing the people. He said that the State government had more than Rs 250 crore due to the city and advised the officials to take steps to get the dues cleared at the earliest. He said that the Left would mobilise people in the city and fight against installation of water meters and increased water taxes. CPM city secretary Ch Baburao who was also present criticised the State government for not holding elections to the civic body. He said that special officers who depend more on the State government for their future postings were not able to ask the government for pending funds. He said that the officials were trying to mop up revenues for the city by taxing people in different forms to fill the empty coffers. He asked the State government to hold elections to the local body and leave the decision of water meters to the elected council. He recalled that the city council had rejected the move to increase water taxes, when such a proposal was brought to its notice by the officials earlier.A CPI city assistant secretary G Koteswara Rao who chaired the proceedings, said that the Left would take up intensive campaign against water meters and hike in taxes. He called upon the people to get ready for a greater battle to get the proposed move withdrawn.A Former legislator Shaik Nasarvali, Left leaders P Surya Rao, V Nageswara Rao, TV Ramana Murthy, Donepudi Kasinadh, Ch Jogiraju, K Ramana Rao and others were present.