Cut water price or face the music,Nitesh Rane tells private tankers

Congress leader Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh Rane,who runs Swabhiman,has threatened to stop private tankers from plying if they do not bring down water rates in a week. Rane has said tanker owners should reduce rates this summer season or else they will be “taught a lesson” by his activists from March 18.

“The BMC gets only Rs 160 from private tankers but people are forced to spend around Rs 1200 or at times as high as Rs 4,000 per 1000 litre,” Nitesh said. However,since water is not governed under the Essential Commodities Act where in the state government can control price,Rane’s demand holds little importance. “If need be I will write to the state government to control water prices. Till then,the association should take into consideration woes of citizens.”.

The NGO has also set up a toll free helpline number —1800-200-9837—to help citizens fight against water mafia. Although the BMC also has a water helpline number (108),wherein citizens can call and complain about water issues or illegal connections,Rane said the civic body’s system has failed to address the issue. “Citizens have informed us about their discontentment with the BMC helpline. Despite repeated attempts,they never got help. Our activist will help citizens follow up the matter with police and civic officials,” he said.

Rane also lashed out at Sena and BJP for their failure in handling the water crisis. He alleged that though Sena corporators had taken water connection illegally,the civic body has not act against them.