MAPUSA
The State government's decision to create a separate department for drinking water has stirred mixed reactions among citizens and public figures.
The move comes in the wake of a severe water crisis triggered by the breach in the Tillari canal, leaving parts of the State parched. While some believe this step could streamline water supply, others argue it will only increase bureaucracy and strain public finances.
Currently, water supply is managed by two departments: the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Water Resources Department (WRD). The PWD oversees pipeline installation and household distribution, whereas the WRD manages water supply to reservoirs.
Critics question whether forming a new department will solve the ongoing issues or simply add another layer of administration.
Congress MLA and senior counsel Carlos Ferreira expressed skepticism, stating that poor coordination between departments is the root cause of water supply issues.
"If there is a pipeline burst or a need to lay new pipelines, it falls under PWD, while WRD handles raw water supply. Unless one department has complete control, the problem will persist," Ferreira said.
He argued that merely establishing a new department without centralising authority would not address the issue effectively.
Former MLA Radharao Gracias echoed similar concerns, emphasising that ensuring the proper functioning of existing departments should be the priority.
"The real issue is inefficiency. Employees often don’t show up for work due to political pressures and many are unqualified. Instead of creating new departments, the government should focus on improving the existing ones," Gracias remarked.
He further alleged that the move was politically motivated, suggesting that splitting PWD into multiple departments would allow more ministers to benefit financially.
"PWD is a lucrative portfolio, and by creating more departments, the government is simply distributing opportunities for financial gains among more ministers," he claimed.
However, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo gave a thumbs up to the proposal of creating a separate department for drinking water
“It’s a very good idea,” Lobo said responding to a query from The Goan without further elaborating on the issue.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the PWD portfolio, announced plans for the new drinking water department, stating that PWD’s focus would henceforth be limited to roads, buildings and bridges.
Sawant justified the decision by arguing that the PWD has struggled to dedicate adequate attention to water supply issues.
However, RTI activist and Mapusa resident Jawaharlal Shetye questioned whether the government had conducted a thorough study before proposing the new department.
He pointed out that the fundamental issue lies in sourcing raw water during crises, such as the recent breach in the Tillari canal that left many areas parched.
“The Chief Minister must first clarify how he intends to ensure uninterrupted water supply, especially when sources like Tillari are unavailable. Creating a new department will not automatically resolve the issue of continuous water supply,” Shetye argued, suggesting that the announcement might be a political distraction rather than a well-researched policy decision.
A resident from Porvorim also raised financial concerns, pointing out that forming a new department would require additional staff, infrastructure and budget allocations, ultimately straining state finances.
“This is not just about restructuring – it involves hiring a separate chief engineer, more employees, and setting up new infrastructure. Can the government afford this?” the resident asked, requesting anonymity.
As debates continue, the effectiveness of creating a new department remains uncertain.
While the government argues that it will streamline water supply, critics maintain that the key lies in improving existing mechanisms rather than expanding bureaucracy.
