Shimla, May 31: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, to disconnect water connections of hotels that had not cleared their dues.
During the course of hearing, it was pointed out by the lawyers present in the court that some of the hoteliers have not even cleared their dues towards water supply.
Taking a serious note of this, a Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed: “We fail to understand as to why no steps for the recovery of such dues were taken earlier.”
It was further informed to the court that within the municipal limits of Shimla town, there were 224 hotels, to which more than 527 water connections stand allotted.
The Commissioner informed the court that the city had been divided into three zones. In one zone the water had already been supplied on Tuesday, while in the second zone, the Municipal Corporation was distributing water on Wednesday. The water supply would be ensured to the third zone on Thursday. He further informed the court that on Wednesday, the MC had received 18.5 MLD water from different water sources.
The court further cautioned key men that if they were found negligent in discharge of their duties or found indulgent in inequitable/unauthorised distribution of water, disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against such person(s).
It was further informed to the court that illegal hotels and homestays were also running in the city. On this the court has also impleaded the Director, Tourism, as a party in this case and sought his response on this issue.The court directed him to remain present in the court on May 31.
During the course of hearing, the advocates further apprised the court about the factual position of the water crisis and urged the court to hear this case daily. Accepting the request, the court has listed the matter for Thursday with a direction to the Commissioner to give fresh status report on the distribution of water in the city.
IPH Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said on Wednesday that 14 MLD water would be procured from the Gumma pumping station instead of 11 MLD. He visited Gumma and held a meeting with local people and public representatives of Dewla, Majheewad and Gumma panchayats. The locals agreed to release water for 15 hours instead of 12 hours for the Gumma pumping station. The minister said he would visit the Giri pumping station on Thursday and the better water supply would be ensured within two-three days.
Sourced from The Tribune
