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KIS liye JUSCO Mysore aaya ?

How can a small almost unknown for profit company be made to spread its wings all over india. Todays news says it has grabbed a small project in Chennai for water leakage detection.

It needs the dedicated support of 4 groups

1.  The spoilt rich citizens who want all the benefits of living aborad in India EVEN if 50 % of the people are below the poverty line timesofindia.indiatimes.com/50-Indians-living-below-poverty-line-Govt-panel/articleshow/4722478.cms

so 24 hrs power and 24 X 7 water supply grossly subsidised is a MUST,

2.  The World Banks Water and Sanitation Prgramme which dreams of creating the GREAT INDIAN COMMERCIAL WATER SUPPLY MARKET and is ready to arm twist, help write policy and generally MORALLY CORRUPT the elected and bureaucratic officials at National, State and local levels through "educational trips and field excursions to australia, UK, Europe, Spain ITALY USA etc etc

3. Officials who beleive that the World bank  or USAID , JBIC, JICA etc 'Ghost writing" policy for last mile water supply to the poorest sections who cannot afford to pay for water is to transparent, while it is archaic , enslaved mentality which is displayed, thereby becoming INTELLECTUALLY BANKRUPT except to promote the MARKET forces. not service quality

4. The corporate sector who seek to announce to all " that Government" has no reason to be in a service like water sector and that buisness is the buisness of buisness

silkboard's picture

what the hell?

Why do you post such needless stuff? Most of this is pure opinion, and some just a bunch of half baked conslusions.

- What is "ghost writing"? Can you quote or prove from the actual agreements? Have you actually read any such agreements?

- What are "market forces" and what is "service quality". Did you notice that Mysore Jusco agreement is centered around service quality? Terms like 24x7 etc define service quality, not the market

- Government can't do everything on its own. Do you think BWSSB or Vani Vilas make their own pipes, and meters? You don't scream privatization when they buy pipes from Jindal SAW or someone, do you? Just grow up a bit to let government buy not just commodities but services as well.

Guys like you should use the energy positively to spend the time understanding and scrutinizing all this JUSCO stuff so that "public agenda" is guaranteed in such arrangements. Taking blanket, outdated or half-baked rhetorical stands is plain and simple waste of everyone's time - doesn't even make for good discussions, forget action.

I am sorry, but I have to be harsh at times.

silkboard's picture

The posting norms you flouted -

- This post is not local.

- If you wanted to post a "national" level stuff - should have picked "Where"  as "India", not Bangalore.

- If you must put this post to Mysore, Bangalore or Chennai audiences, please write separate posts with local relevance.

Next - how is this "Citizen Reports"? There is no reporting here at all, this is pure and simple rant - a "Complaint", or at best a "Review" if it can be called that.

Write opionions, please do - we all have them in plenty, its only natural. But please don't write just opinions - supply some facts, examples, or local relevence along with the rhetoric.

cheers,

SB aka Pranav

Public Agenda's picture

education costs alot but is easier if you remove the filters

The WB helped write the draft GoK Urban drinking water policy in 2002 thru a consultant.

This is similar to the MP state policy which is funded thru DFID with Halcrow and GHK as consultants almost around the same time

ADB has actually written the policies for 4 sectors

P . S 

power cut here and will complete it shortly after


silkboard's picture

Okay, good.

So now, let us discuss that drinking water policy and debate the provisions that you don't like. This will be so much more fun than ideological trash talk.

- Is the 2002 urban drinking water policy public?

- What parts of the urban drinking water policy you don't like?

- How can we register our protest to the UDW policy?

- What are the alternate ways of drafting, and funding such policies?

- How is JUSCO linked to World Bank, whats the conspiracy theory there?

I look forward to a detailed and separate post on above lines, we all do. But please don't write simple rants.

Public Agenda's picture

Water policy

WSP (funded by WB and others) has been trying all out  to promote the increased role of local private water operators. JUSCO is prominent now becoz WSP tried to make a best practice out of it and then needed a nudge from USAID to bag a small Salt lake city project

 


Public Agenda's picture

local quoted in SoM on Jusco service at Mysore

http://www.starofmysore.c...

ACICM Convenor M. Lakshmana pointed out that the JUSCO deal itself was a hotch-potch scheme lacking co-ordination and clarity. It seems JUSCO has assured to reduce the water losses to 20% from the existing 30% which is meaningless and coughing up crores of rupees for 10 per cent savings is next to nonsense. Added to that no clear cut guideline is made available on the proposed new distribution system, he observed.


RKCHARI's picture

Friends, I agree

Friends,

I agree with Silkboard & Pranav completely. People think it is fashionable to bash the Private Sector not realising they are probably earning their bread and butter through the very same Private sector whom they are abusing - that too without a shred of evidence. Reading something in the newspaper and adding extra "colour" to it does not form informed opinion.

Too much has been unnecessarily said about Private participation in water supply in our country. I wish I could tell all private water related companies to stay away for just one year and then let us see how these Public spirited people get their daily glass of water.

Sorry, I too strongly feel we need a paradigm shift in our thinking and mind set per se.

Chari

RKC

silkboard's picture

Matter closed

Unless you are pointing out to the proposal documents, or suggesting how else you want to provide me with 24x7 clean water, I am not commenting any more.

All your friends were asleep last 50 years when you and me, rich and poor alike were getting 4th world quality services from public utility providers.

For exmaple - You are asleep right now when power situation is grim. But the moment government will announce a power plant outside of a PSU to work on the shortfall, ideologists will be found in the streets holding protest banners and placards.

Why do you only talk of Morally corrupt officials and babus? Why are those who don't like to pay water bill (about 25-30% of BWSSB consumers in Bangalore, 20-25% in Mysore - number are guestimates) not corrupt?

Grow up from just blaming everyone around you - corrupt this and corrupt that. Don't sense sinister plots in everything that happens around you. Analyzing anything first requires that we first put our biases aside.

For the record, I too am a socialist (ask Murali who is always surpised at lack of my 100% support for his ideas). But I would call myself a neo-socialist in the sense that:

1) my expectations are higher. I don't settle for 4 hours water supply for all, I want 24x 7 for all.

2) My "all" includes us middle-class-ians as well. I don't claim to represent the poor and downtrodden alone. All I know is that over last 50 years, folks with biased and opnionated thoughts like you have made my beloved country into a poor-people manufacturing machine.

cheers, and water, power, mobility and bandwith to all :)

-SB aka Pranav

Public Agenda's picture

Thank you and clarification

Seems like it is next to impossible to get you to remove your filters

praja.in/discuss/forums/2009/07/what-support-structure

if you like please refer my above post here

I am not going to waste time educating you, since you are groping around and frustrated and angry.

Poverty comes down through actual schemes of the govt not by data fudging from the Planning Commission

repeatedly reports

30% Mumbaikars earn less than Rs592 a month         

Sandeep Ashar / DNA

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are more poor people in Andheri than in Dharavi

Sandeep Ashar /DNA

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:07 IST

have gone against the Plan Comm documents

 


murali772's picture

private agenda

Good job, Pranav and Chari. 'Public agenda' is someone's private agenda to spread poverty and romanticise about it. And, the identity of the person is also not difficult to guess.

 

Muralidhar Rao
silkboard's picture

You dont get it

Public Agenda sir or madam,

I think you missed the point. Looks like you do have point information and facts, but that doesn't come out clearly in the posts.

The reason I am angry here is not because of our ideological differences. The whole point is to do fact based talk, esp in these ideology heavy discussions. If we talk pure opinions and ideologies, it can only end up in name calling, or talk like "your filter is bad, mine is good" or "you dont get it".

Just look back at our comment trail on this post, haven't we both done only that?

cheers,

SB, aka Pranav - my real name, and I have been seen in flesh by at least 50 members of this forum. Look forward to seeing you in a meeting, or you sharing your knowledge via more fact oriented posts, or you leading a project to analyze National Urban Water Policy, or BWSSB's 2008-2009 peformance, or Audit Water Ministry's accounts.

s_yajaman's picture

Water privatization has not been an unqualified success

Murali-sir,

As you have access to google, please type "Perils of water privatization" or "Cochabamba".  Quite often rainwater harvesting is illegal when water supply is privatized.  You CANNOT compare mobile phones and airlines with water and air.  You can live without the former but you cannot live without the latter. 

How is it that the BMC can provide water to 13 million people in Bombay without having to resort to privatization?  I am in Bombay and the big news is that they might be forced to get water every other day rather than everyday if the rains fail.  

What regulatory frameworks have been put in place to ensure a fair pricing structure? Or that every area will be covered regardless of the socio economic status of that area?  Who will regulate?  What redressal mechanisms are there for consumers?  Yes, BWSSB does a not very good job - but is the right long term solution privatization?

Any time there is profit a "more consumption is better" mentality exists.  Is that the way to go with water?  A private water company is not going to create water.  How do we ensure that Cauvery water is not wasted or more is diverted to Bangalore at the expense of Mandya or Mysore because more money is to be made here?  

Would be good if someone knowdgeable on JUSCO can lay out the overall plan. 

Srivathsa

 

Drive safe.  It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.

murali772's picture

it's a bogey!

Yajamaanre'

As Manivannan has tried repeatedly to point out, the JUSCO deal does not amount to privatisation. It is a bogey used by the likes of "public agenda" to pursue their private agenda. Please check                this            out.

Perhaps you missed out on all that because of your recent business pre-occupation.

Muralidhar Rao
 

Muralidhar Rao
idontspam's picture

Less is profitable model

Any time there is profit a "more consumption is better" mentality exists.  Is that the way to go with water?

Can we not make the contract for less is better model? Provide incentives for the water company to reduce consumption while maintaining the flow at 24*7 in the contract.

s_yajaman's picture

JUSCO maintains and 24x7 happens?

Murali-sir,

I went through the thread.  I have no reason to doubt Mr. Manivannan.  But it still left me with a fundamental question.  How does JUSCO maintaining the system ensure 24x7 water? 

What has fundamentally changed?  Will JUSCO remove illegal connections?  What will JUSCO do differently that will cause water to flow 24x7 from taps?

Posting this question here as that thread seems to have ended on an "all's well that end's well note).  Will be grateful if my stupid question is answered.

Srivathsa

Drive safe.  It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.

Public Agenda's picture

thanks Srivathsa ------issue is leakage detection

 

The JUSCO will use technology and then detects leakages and then prepares a system with upgradation and huge expendture.

all the employees are virtually deputed from Vani Vilas Water Works ( this is a trick to esnure govt pays salaries to V V works staff and then the "CONSULTANTS EXPERTS" take home Rs 22 crs without paying anyone but themselves for the work which is done by the employees anyway who know what is to be done

That is how straightforward it is.

and some of the new reforms are that

  1. all who get water must be meterd then all who get water must pay
  2. The ADB already got the GoK in 1996 ( WAY BACK) to assurethem by issuing a GO to charge commercial water tariffs.

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Mysore has more illegal connections than legal-All get their cut

In old city areas in Mysore where there is a sizeable vote bank, there are meters fixed that do not work and just before the meter, on the street itself, there is an illegal outlet below the ground level.  They have built cemented mini tanks and protect them with proper covers, the women folk know when and how much force will be their in water for them to do all the household work like, washing vessels, washing cloths, some even bathe their small kids.   JUSCO plans to put a coma, if not a full stop for this illegal method - here also the controlling authority is VVWW assisted by local....?  to pin point - give details to JUSCO for carrying out fixing of meters etc.

Billing? Majority of them pay a certain amount to the area.....?......?.....? who share the cuts.

This is why there is opposition from certain set of people who will be denied their jam.

- I for one prefer to have at least 4X7 if not 24X7 of good quality / quantity of water for my survival because future wars will be faught on issues relative to water.

- Ours is a vibrant democracy and if JUSCO does not deliver (they have been assured a bonus at the end of the scheme - 6 years) we have the wherewithals for throwing them out and revert back to - one hour supply in 3 days at 3 am.

- Vasanth Mysoremath 

Public Agenda's picture

minimum service criteria

V Kumar sir ji

Seems that essential services are being converted to a policy which says NO SEPERATE USER FEE , NO BASIC SERVICE

Why does the common man pay taxes then?

Central govt runs only on  public paying the CST/ GST

local govt on property taxes

everywhere except Blr a water cess is collected with the P Tax

then where does the metering and payment for water which is basic need arise

Do you agree?

On the other hand there are simple demands from the citizens like you said.,
Predictable QUANTITY and QUALITY of Drinking water supply

  • Predictable timings every day and every week
  • Pre announced timing
  • Accountability of officials with not only wind in the pipes but actually water being supplied
  • Water for all not just for those who can pay
  • Water is an essential need
  • Water should not be for profit for companies

so does the JUSCO MOU assure us of this ?

A translation in Kannada is now available which is soooo late , but pl examine the same


Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Maximum benefits- JUSCO for 24X7 elixir of life

PA Sir

Simple people have simple 'needs' and water is the basic need of these simpletons;  but anything given free is eyed with suspicion.  This is the universal truth and such things are bound to be misused than judicially used.  So called 'poor people' are not really poor and they know how to live because every day is a new day of new opportunities for them and they know how to adopt best practices to make that day fruitful. So, JUSCO wants to make them also pay as they use with 24X7 water supply of proper quality and quantity.

VVWW - water owners (?) have all the controlling parameters except how to manage water supply. JUSCO is assuring what VVWW could not achieve during the past many decades. 

-  If JUSCO contract is rescinded, what is the way forward? 

-  Is there somebody who can relieve my knee pain while I carry about 7 pots of water at 3 AM from ground floor to first floor for my/family every day survival?

-  All of us are paying taxes for not getting services delivered to us

-  Even now I am paying minimum water bill for maximum inconvenience

-  Instead, I do not mind experimenting with JUSCO, for once, albiet at some public  expense - online contract .pdf runs to about 700 pages and by the time I complete studying it, it will be six years and the JUSCO contract will be over by that time. 

Your bullet points: Will answer them after completion of one year of JUSCO deal - 24X7 will not start immediately - it has its own constraints/studies/ parameters/technicalities

- One thing that foxes me is whether our 'water owners' are tech-savvy enough to live up to the expectations/demands of JUSCO's management methodolities/techniques. 

* Reg 'air in the pipe', a separate post about my experience at the Summit of BATF at TATA Instt. way back in 2002 AD, will follow.

-Vasanth Mysoremath 

Public Agenda's picture

VKM sir We do pay for it its NOT free

VKM sir,

but anything given free is eyed with suspicion. This is not true, though the resource can be misused,

at the same time we do pay as explained above and below

e.g. look at (now abolished) Octroi (entry tax) as a local govt (ULB or PRI) user charge for trucks

transporting freight etc, then similarly Water Cess as a %age of Property tax

is paid by many households.

This is a Charge Paid to maintain and supply water services,

so who is getting free from  local public taps are those who

cannot afford to pay. To them also we have a social obligation.


Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Misuse is 'at that receiving end of social obligation level'

PA Sir,

If one has to know the value of something, it should have been paid from one's own money.  If one gets it without paying, then it becomes free and is bound to be misused.  That is what I mean.

Anyways, the topic need not go in tangent. The crux of the matter is to get some reasonable quantity and qualitty water from a source that can deliver because it is the elixir of life and what could not be got despite payments is now being offered in a 'believe it or not 24X7 enigmatic JUSCO water supply/management system'. 

Let us wait and watch.

- Vasanth Mysoremath 

murali772's picture

Yajamaanre' The entire

Yajamaanre'

The entire contract document has now been made available on the net. A certain Mr Bhat of Mysore Grahakara Parishad (MGP), the foremost city think-tank, studied it and prepared a summary of it for the benefit of the citizens (This is available on PRAJA). The comments I have posted are based on a reading of the same.

Now, MGP has members like Maj Genl Vombatkere, before whom an avowed Socialist like you will appear like an Ambani, and even his opposition to the project has since died down.

Apart from that, Mr Viswanath (zenrainman, before whom you'll appear atleast like a Narayanamurthy) has also posted his comments in the same thread, apparently after studying the original contract documents. And, they are in support.

On top of all these is the fact that it has all been conceived by none other than Mr Manivannan, whose comments, I expect, you have read.

You still suspicious, or do you have some private agenda too :)))?

 

Muralidhar Rao
Mani1972's picture

Some clarifications!

Dear all,

Everybody is entitled to have his/her own opinion. Such an opinion is as good or as bad as anybody else's. So let's not go into the 'right' or 'wrong' about the opinions.

I want to just state certain facts, whether they lead to change in the opinions or not! (I have changed my opinion, when facts didn’t support my opinion!)

1. Comparing 'Cochabamba'(cmb) and 'Mysore-Jusco', is like comparing apples with oranges. While, Cmb was a 'privatisation'. (for those who want to know what are the characteristics of privatisation, plis refer to my post),  Jusco is an 'performance based O&M contract'. In cmb, there was an issue of financing a dam from the project, and  linking the tariff to that. Here tariff is safely in the hands of the MCC. One can't compare both!

2. Its a proven fact that the existing system is inefficient due to various constraints. It doesn’t have the expertise (both technical and managerial), to go for 24x7. The need of the hour is to get the expertise. Today of tomorrow, all major cities in our country will go for 24x7. Thus we need an agency which will teach us 'hands-on'. We need jusco, or bosco, or mesco for that! 

3. This project will shatter the nexus & equlibrium between the vested interests, and hence, it is bound to be objected vehemently by those groups. Thus we will always have somebody objecting to that. Never will we have 100% citizens welcoming the project, as those who are enjoying the benefits of the distortions in the present system, will never agree for changing it! So, unless the objections are based on facts, opinions based on assumptions can not be allowed to stop the development.

Above all, the project is transparent and have a monitoring committee being established, with invitation to all those who object the project, to be members! There is nothing to hide. Come and join in making the water supply system better!

Regards,

 

Manivannan

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Think positive..come and join..do you have it in you?

 

Mr.Manivannan is very very modest in his statement. 

- When an opportunity has been extended to those who are 'objecting' for becoming a part of the deliverable system, it is their duty to join the system with their own energy to create a little more force into the pressure of pumping quality and quantity water in the pipes of VVWW.

- Vasanth Mysoremath 

s_yajaman's picture

Thanks Mr. Manivannan

Mr.Manivannan,

Thanks for taking the time to make your clarifications.   Good to know that we are not headed the Cochabamba route. 

Could you clarify a bit more on point (2). 

We have to protect the rights of the poorest person when entering into contracts with private players.  I might be preaching to the convert in this case, but we have failed to do this quite often.  One of my friends visits Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand quite often and he tells me of how tribals have been treated there.

We had a post here of how Maytas was going to not only not take any VGF from the centre for the Hyderabad Metro but also going to pay the government some 1000s of crores.  We know how that has ended.

We should not trade one devil for another.  That is the only point.

Thanks again,

Srivathsa

Drive safe.  It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.

Mani1972's picture

Dear Srivathsa

Dear Srivathsa,

Thanks for the post! Feels nice to discuss the project, when the queries are genuine and not opinionated. If I understand it right, your concern is whether certain rights are protected or not, so that we don’t end up worse. I share your concern on this.

Indeed what makes the difference in such contract is the ‘the terms of contract’. For example, Delhi Jal Board is alleged to have entered into a bad contract on this same issue of water supply, which they have to rescind later.

Now how we decide whether the contract is good or bad. Again we have to see three issues:

1.     Whether the assets are handed over for a long time? (Are they given the right to manage the assets practically for perpetuity?)

2.     Whether the profit motive of the private agency is curtailed legally, and not left to the market forces.

3.     Whether we retain sufficient control over the agency, so that in case of emergency, we can run the show ourselves?

Luckily, the NURM-JUSCO contract of Mysore has all these three points taken care of. Firstly the contract period is only 6 years. Out of that, 3 years for putting up the system in place and another 3 years to teach VVWW to run the system.

Secondly, the profit motive is curtailed as the total payment to be made for all 6 years is fixed, and not connected to the tariff. The tariff is under the control of the MCC.

Thirdly, the contract is a great improvement over the earlier such contracts in the country, retaining the control of the government, and only giving the functional autonomy. The deliverables are clearly earmarked.

Thus, we are not trading one devil for another!

 

regards,

 

Manivannan

idontspam's picture

Well managed

 Secondly, the profit motive is curtailed as the total payment to be made for all 6 years is fixed, and not connected to the tariff. The tariff is under the control of the MCC.

Thirdly, the contract is a great improvement over the earlier such contracts in the country, retaining the control of the government, and only giving the functional autonomy. The deliverables are clearly earmarked.

 

Beautifully done. Congratulations!  

It is difficult to think the administration will have all the skills required for every problem under the sun. I am sure many such ways of getting in outside expertise can be adopted in different public services.

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Present position & What after 6 years?

Mani Sir

Now that we are all agreed that something is better than nothing and JUSCO contract is finalised, what is the present position, when can we expect the water to flow in our taps?  Period?

What after 6 years?  Will our non-too tech savvy VVWW officials be able to carry on a highly tech based management system?  Or will it be AMC again with JUSCO?

- Just for clarification

- Vasant Mysoremath

s_yajaman's picture

Thanks Mr.Manivannan

Mr.Manivannan,

The pleasure is equally mine.  Had a few more questions

 If it is not confidential could you let us know

a. what are the performance measures laid out in the contract on customer service (24x7, cleanliness, repairs and service, etc)

b. How will these be measured in a transparent and unbiased manner so that neither the consumer nor JUSCO is left feeling shortchanged?

c. Has the consumer tariff itself been modified t ensure that consumers do not waste water.  E.g. if a family of 4 is deemed to need 500l/d or 15m3 a month is the tariff beyond say 16m3 significantly higher so that people feel the need to conserve and not use beyond a reasonable level?

d. Given that JUSCO is paid a fixed fee, they should not see rainwater harvesting as a competitor.  I hope that is true and rainwater harvesting is not only legal but also strongly encouraged.

e. What is MCC's committment to JUSCO in terms of water supply.  After all they can only distribute what they receive. 

f. In case of a severe shortage, what principles have been laid out for water allocation?

Regards,

Srivathsa

Drive safe.  It is not just the car maker which can recall its product.

Mani1972's picture

Dear Shri. Srivathsa, Thanks

Dear Shri. Srivathsa,

Thanks for the response. Your questions are very valid. I would love to answer in detail to all these questions. Unfortunately, i am not free now due to the communal violence occuring in the city. I will be occupied with that issue for some time, and won't have tim e to cull out the details from the voluminous agreement. (indeed, the answers to your questions will form almost 50% of the agreement document itself!) Kindly bear with me for this.

But, alternatively, may i suggest that you go thru the entire document of the NURM-JUSCO agreement which is available in the website along with the FAQs. You may contact the commissioner MCC, Shri. Raikar at 98456.55553 (sms in case he is busy). He will be able to clear all your doubts.

Best option will be to make a visit to the MCC, get a copy of the document and attachements and get the clarifications, then and there from all the concerned officials. We have the NURM meetings on every wednesday at 9am, at MCC.

Still if you need any clarification, after reading the document and talking to the commissioner, MCC, you may leave your questions here, and i will answer them.

Thanks again for taking interest in this project of public interest.

regards

Manivannan

96633.69333

Manivannan

tsubba's picture

Mani sir

I am pretty sure this is not the right thread to  discuss this, and i am sure the admins will admonish me for this. but as a mysorean, i offer my sincere gratitude for your handling of the current situation, especially in retaining a cool rational head about the whole incident.

please let none of the hot heads, irrespective of their inclinations, prevail.

 

 

 

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath's picture

Another solution for supply of clean drinking water to masses...

 

Browse: http://www.kaaranji.com/july2009_2/index.htm

My article has appeared in the above link on "Why can't we get clean drinking water for Namma Bengaluru".

- will be happy to receive constructive criticisms from Prajegalu.

- Vasanth Mysoremath

pdk's picture

(Almost) current status

Article from April 22, 2010 from The Hindu:
 

... Mayor Purushottam criticised the functioning of Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company Ltd. (JUSCO), which is entrusted with drinking water supply in the city, and pointed out that he was at the receiving end of the public ire in his ward. The Deputy Commissioner's attention was also drawn to the fact that the call centre set up to receive public complaints with regard to water supply was not functioning. Following which, the JUSCO representatives present in the meeting received a dressing down.

Peeved by the apparent indifferent attitude of the JUSCO staff, the Deputy Commissioner said he would write to their higher ups in the Tata group of which JUSCO is a constituent.


Another from Feb 18, 2010 :
 

At the weekly progress review meeting of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) here, the Deputy Commissioner, who is JNNURM special officer, expressed displeasure over complaints against JUSCO and asked its representative to convene a meeting to address them. Mayor Purushottam, Deputy Mayor Sharadamma, MUDA Commissioner P.C. Jayanna and MCC Commissioner K.S. Raikar attended the meeting.

M. Lakshmana of the Association and Concerned Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) alleged that JUSCO had not held meetings with the elected representatives and members of ward committees to address the problems. “More grievances over distribution are pouring in from the residents here after JUSCO took over water supply,” he alleged.

“The problems in water supply are only increasing following inaccessibility of JUSCO officials to address them,” Mr. Lakshmana alleged.

murali772's picture

finally, there's some hope!

More grievances over distribution are pouring in from the residents here after JUSCO took over water supply.

This if any is a clear indication that the JUSCO deal has evoked hope aomngst the citizenry that their problems may get solved eventually. Before JUSCO came on, was anyone even complaining? Or, for that matter, when our own BWSSB holds its so-called public grievance redressal meetings (or whatever they are termed), does anyone even bother to attend? Everybody had just given up, and made alternate arrangements. It's quite the same situation as in the case of BESCOM as described below.

Of the audience of a 100 odd people, only some 30 were members of Civil Society groups (RWA's, etc), the rest comprising mostly of BESCOM officials. Seeing this, the chief guest, Dr Samuel Paul, Chairman, PAC, remarked that the poor turn out was perhaps an indication of the high level of satisfaction with BESCOM services. Now, if people do not turn up in sufficient numbers at such meetings, it is not because they are satisfied with the services, it is plainly because of the futility of complaining to a government agency. Those who can afford have made alternate arrangements, and those that can't are any way voiceless. For the full report, click here.

This was also once the situation with telecom services. After the private players came on, the complaints have multiplied - just because there's somebody attending to the complaints now. In fact, I myself have lodged a complaint with the Consumer Redressal Forum against AIRTEL on a specific issue, though I have great appreciation of their services generally.

Pleading for patience in view of the long gestation period of the JNNURM works, Mr Manivannan refuted claims that the projects were behind schedule.

Excellent, let the pressure be on from the people.

 

Muralidhar Rao
silkboard's picture

Absolutely, that is a good thing !

JUSCO like arrangement is good or bad - the debate could go on. But the fact that we are discussing grievances is a big improvement in itself.

Please, absolutely, go after JUSCO, expose all they do, dissect their operations, expose their finances - do all that you can to make them improve quality and qantity of water supply available to Mysore. Because now, you can!

We only get few hours of water supply in Bangalore. That too, not of desirable  quality. How many complaints does BWSSB have to show for it? For starters, how many of us have written here about BWSSB and grievances, and how many have about JUSCO?

Even die hard supporters of the private-player support (aka liberalization) in utility space (like Murali) will encourage you to dig deep on JUSCO like arrangements because whether utility is private or public, digging and questioning is a must for us (the consumers).

Public Agenda's picture

What about the OCMS that was DoA?

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in a copy cat manner Janagraha with BWSSB and based on the Mumbai PRAJA (NGO)  OCMS model  set up an e-based grievance redressal mechanism in 2003 or so. The BMTC also wanted to do the same with all the push for e-governance but could not  NS_ActualOpen=window.open; function NS_NullWindow(){this.window;} function NS_NewOpen(url,nam,atr){return(new NS_NullWindow());} window.open=NS_NewOpen; window.open=NS_ActualOpen; But like so many others it failed and sank without a trace. But we still discuss like there are no complaints 

Wake up ejans ? in April 10 for a few weeks every night and day people were on the streets complaining at the TV 9 water wars programme, where the reporter could find many near riots, of course the english channels were showing how good bangalore is but there were many series of programmes called Jago re Bengalru since May last year on the News9

and of course the 2 BBMP council meeting and the many feet in the Mouth of the rulers, Ministers, Mayors etc 

What shd be monitored is the written complaints at the BWSSB sub-division offices for a better understanding Despite major awareness  in the educated web users can they cut off from the agitating public?

 and these shd be made public to create better awareness

 

 

window.open=NS_ActualOpen;

pdk's picture

Why are you bringing BESCOM into it?

You can't just compare the JUSCO meeting to BESCOM and claim they are equivalent!    And as for Telecom, it is not the same as other utilities.  Please see this.  This was part of the long discussion we had over electricity 'reforms' on the Hasiru Usiru mailing list.  You'll find the other posts there too.

I'm sure people were complaining before JUSCO too.  I seem to have read articles on the same.  Google is your friend.

E.R. Ramachandran's picture

Invite C.M. and Ministers for a sip!

It is rather surprising to read about unpotable water pumped to our houses, gullets. Solution is at hand.

Bangalore has IISc , pollution control board and couple of Engineering colleges of repute.

1. On a weekly basis, samples of water can be tested at these places  places for Ph, E-coli and other bacterial substances.

2. Tie up with Private TV Channels like TV9, Suvarna etc  and put out the results once a week along with their weather report.

3. If the results show water is unpotable and  dirty ,invite C.M. to have a sip. By turns various Cabinet Ministers can be invited to have a drink.

4. Few episodes of this, especially  if it is aired during investors' meet etc. will yield quick results.

ERR

murali772's picture

indeed, very different

@pdk

You can't just compare the JUSCO meeting to BESCOM and claim they are equivalent!    

Exactly - the JUSCO one was attended by a vociferous RWA lot in the expectation of some response; the BESCOM one was attended by the usual lot who come more for thindi/ coffee

And as for Telecom, it is not the same as other utilities. Please see this.  

I can't quite make out what's trying to be conveyed. Whatever, I, in turn, would suggest your reading this, and this.

This was part of the long discussion we had over electricity 'reforms' on the Hasiru Usiru mailing list. You'll find the other posts there too.

May be; but, we didn't come to any agreement, right?

I'm sure people were complaining before JUSCO too. I seem to have read articles on the same. Google is your friend.

Yes, yes - very much like BESCOM's invitee list - incidentally, my name appears to have got dropped from it after I went public with this post

Muralidhar Rao
pdk's picture

@Muralidhar Rao "May be;

@Muralidhar Rao

"May be; but, we didn't come to any agreement, right?"

No we didn't. And if the argument I laid out didn't change your opinion one bit, I don't know what would :-)
murali772's picture

continuing the argument

@pdk

The argument, if you recall, ended with my stating as below:

"And, what surprises me even more is when people fail to appreciate that "The state has a bigger role as the facilitator and regulator, and when it becomes a player in addition, this bigger role gets compromised. Besides, the state can rarely be an efficient player. And, if it's a monopoly situation (like with power distribution) , it becomes the epicentre of all kinds of racketeering".

Now, if that can't change your thinking one bit, then I too don't know what can.

And, nobody is saying that TATAs and Narayana Murthys have been sent down from the heavens to correct all the wrongs in this world. They also are human beings and they may have committed some mistakes here and there. But, the good they have done far outweigh the wrongs. As such, I would any day trust them to providing us our services than the government agencies.

 

Muralidhar Rao
murali772's picture

plain logic

The desirable option is for BWSSB to continue performing the function of sourcing and bulk supply of water to BBMP which, in turn, will become responsible for distribution within its jurisdiction.

For the full text of article by Sri A Ravindra (advisor to the chief minister on urban affairs) in the TOI, click on http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2010/06/02&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T.

The question that arises thereof is what about the other key infrastructure services, more specifically power distribution, sewage management, bus transport services, etc. Don't they need to come under the local body too? And, since the local body can't be running all of them by itself, the services will naturally have to be outsourced. And, if you want good services, the outsourcing has to be to professional companies. And, that's where the JUSCOs come in in water supply; TATAs, Reliance and others in power supply; perhaps TVS and even TATAs in bus services. Isn't the logic so clear?

 

Muralidhar Rao
pdk's picture

The Difference Being...

@Muralidhar Rao,

"And, what surprises me even more is when people fail to appreciate that "The state has a bigger role as the facilitator and regulator, and when it becomes a player in addition, this bigger role gets compromised. Besides, the state can rarely be an efficient player. And, if it's a monopoly situation (like with power distribution) , it becomes the epicentre of all kinds of racketeering".

Now, if that can't change your thinking one bit, then I too don't know what can.

The difference between our arguments being that I had provided extensive examples refuting your position and quoted third-party studies (by Prayas and others) supporting my position.  You just keep repeating your mantra of govt role being that of regulator and facilitator etc.. and expect me to come around to your point of view :-) 

In any case, I don't have anything to gain or lose personally by privatization/publicisation (I'm assuming that is true for everyone).  I just don't appreciate blind ideological positions even when facts don't support it.

Naveen's picture

BBMP for water - good move

Apart from institutional issues, the proposal to hand over charge of distribution of water to BBMP is probably a good move. An excerpt from the news item states the following :

Another compelling reason is lack of coordination we are witnessing at present between BBMP and BWSSB in maintaining road, water and sewerage infrastructure. Conflicts on issues such as digging of roads and their non-restoration in time, payment of water dues and restoration charges are a constant feature adversely affecting the city. It is time a single institution was made responsible for inter-related civic issues like water, sanitation and roads.

With this arrangement, potholes left after road-digging & water pipe repairs should improve.
Unless of course, Murali water works takes over water distribution for the entire city :)

murali772's picture

blind, even with having eyes

@pdk

The difference between our arguments being that I had provided extensive examples refuting your position and quoted third-party studies (by Prayas and others) supporting my position.  You just keep repeating your mantra of govt role being that of regulator and facilitator etc.. and expect me to come around to your point of view :-)

The essence of what Prayas was saying in its report was that the city of Delhi was not as yet getting the benefit of privatisation, as was hoped for. Like I had mentioned at http://praja.in/en/blog/murali772/2009/07/23/learnings-delhis-power-supply-privatisation, "these pitfalls are inevitable when you allow the government agency to be run to ground, and then out of desperation, look for a competent player to take over. This once again brings out the urgency for the government to divest itself from these functions early".

Further, as I have been saying, almost ad nauseum, "apart from Delhi and Mumbai, the cities/ areas that 'enjoy' power supply from private companies are Ahmedabad, Surat, Kolkata, Greater Noida, and in all these places, the customer satisfaction and profitability levels are far higher than elsewhere where the supplies are with government companies/ agencies, all being subject to uniform regulation by the respective SERC's. So, there must be enough merit to it. And, perhaps learning from the experiences in Delhi, the switch-over in other cities can happen more smoothly".

So, which position has the 'extensive examples' supporting it?

In any case, I don't have anything to gain or lose personally by privatization/publicisation (I'm assuming that is true for everyone).  

Isn't that quite where the problem lies? When the power supply is unreliable, you have your gen-set, inverter, converter, etc; when the water supply is unreliable, you have your bore-wells, the tanker wallah, the bottled water, etc; when the bus service is undependable, you have your cars/ two-wheelers, etc. But, for a fairly sizable section of the population, these are luxuries they cannot afford, but, which in the first place wouldn't have been required if the service deliveries were efficient. Have some concern for the also, please!

I just don't appreciate blind ideological positions even when facts don't support it.

Far worse is when people choose to remain blind to facts placed before them. "It's not enough to have eyes, you need to be able to see" as a saying goes.


@ Naveen

Murali water supply will be a lot more accountable than a JUSCO even:)))

 

Muralidhar Rao
pdk's picture

Which is not true

@Muralidhar Rao,


Prayas pointed out the very good terms that NDPL & Reliance got in New Delhi, in spite of which they are not doing well.  There was nothing to do with inheriting 'run-down' systems. Please go through the chain once again.

As I had shown in those mails, Delhi power supply after 'privatization' (replacing public monopoly with private monopoly) has not been a success.  A public utility supplies power to parts of Mumbai very successfully.  Kolkata power supply has problems. Greater Noida too has problems.  Only Ahmedabad & Surat don't seem to have - but as I had shown they are very different in the area/population they serve.

I'd also given instances where privatization failed (orissa, MP) or was given up due to ground realities.

So yes, please keep repeating Delhi, Mumbai and Greater Noida and Kolkata etc :-)

murali772's picture

horse and water

A public utility supplies power to parts of Mumbai very successfully. Please go through the chain once again.

You could do that yourselves.

Kolkata power supply has problems. Greater Noida too has problems. 

And, wherever the service is being provided by the government agencies, it is all Raam-rajya? So, then, why did Delhi switch from DESU to the private players, at all? Why has the Karnataka government in its vision talked about privatising the distribution? Of course, I forgot, to satisfy the diktats from IMF/ World Bank, right?

Only Ahmedabad & Surat don't seem to have - but as I had shown they are very different in the area/ population they serve.

And, also some specific characteristics of Gujarati's?

and expect me to come around to your point of view :-)

You have heard of the horse and the water. I rest my case.

Muralidhar Rao
pdk's picture

@Muralidhar Rao, Yes the

@Muralidhar Rao,

Yes the politicians made sure DESU went away, but they have ensured that their area (Lutyen's Delhi) is still supplied by a public utility.  No new-fangled private players for them apparently :-)

Naveen's picture

Continue the Debate !

It is well known that monopolies, especially govt monopolies result in poor efficiencies, graft, over payment for supplies, non-responsiveness to customer needs, etc. - power is no exception as is water & transport.

Nothing seems to work in India since we continue to have too many problems (majority poorer sections that need subsidies, middle classes that demand quality, very corrupt govt officials who demand kickbacks, etc).

Maybe these are the reasons why competitive privatization has not been helpful in the power sector which is a basic need for all.

In others (such as telecom, insurance, airlines, etc), privatization has produced the best for customers. Unless we lift the poorer sections out of poverty, question marks & debates about privatization of basic utilities will continue, such as the one above !

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