Hearing on the JOB Chart of Cauvery Bhavan officials

(a) Hearing on 05.08.10

1. Commission directed the dept to make necessary changes in the job chart within 60 days by adding duties and responsibilities of the senior officials including Chairman and Chief Engineers.
2. Job chart should be displayed in the office.
3. All the details of duties and reposnsibilities of the officials can not be put in 4.1.b. But office must have that and whenever asked by anyone should be provided.

Next hearing date 1st of December 2010

GRM at East sub-division-5 level

GRM was held at East sub-division -5 level on 20.07.2010.
Mr. Murali- AEE and Mr. Ramesh-AE were present during the meeting. Horamavu councilor Mrs Tejaswini, Basavanpura Councilor Mrs. Poornima and Devasandra Councilor Mrs. Manjula Devi were present in the meeting.

52 grievances were submitted to the dept before the GRM among which 43 were solved by the time of GRM. More than 100 water consumers were present during the program.

Main points flashed during the meeting were
1. Frequency of water supply
2. Quality of water supply-smell, worms in water, pit water entering in to water pipeline
3. Problems by the valve man
4. Unportable water
Ward councilors and dept officials promised to look in to the issue and solve as soon as pooible.

News report published in Prajavani reg GRM

Incidents after GRM:

• Mrs Manjula Devi, councilor Devasadnra ward (55) after the program went to Rajeevgandhi community members and objected on speaking openly about the water problems in the ward. And said if there is any problem they should come to her directly, and should not speak publically like this. The reason behind was that, the media persons and other ward councilors were also there in the meeting. And this was the question of her prestige. Report was published in Prajavani. with the facts.
• After two three days a person came to KR Puram and asked a person to which area he belongs. And the person replied to Rajeevgandhi; the moment he replied a picture of him was taken without saying or asking anything. Next day a report was published regarding KR Puram area which says there are no issues of water or road, only problem is of drinage. And picture of the person (Mr. Govindappa) was also published in the newspaper saying again there is no water problem, only but it would be good if the water is supplied on daily basis.

Here two points coming out are,

1. Why this kind of article was published within few days of GRM? Is it a gimic?
2. Without the concent of an individual, media can publish a picture and statement of public?

Kannadaprabha news clipping

Can a PIO reply be like this to a RTI application......?

Short stories on impact of RTI

I. In East Sub-division -5 Mr. D. Murali is the AEE. He had some bitter experiences while working in Chiklalabagh. As a result he is so afraid of RTI that whenever I (Ms. Parveen) visit the sub-division he says to collect whatever information required by asking orally or even over the phone. As he doesn't want to indulge in the strict proceedures of RTI.
Even if I go reg some problem in the community it was promised to give priority to that and rectify. So as done in the broken pipeline case of Rajeevgandhi slum.

II. 1st Appeal hearing on 11.05.2010 at Cauvery Bhavan (3pm)
Mr. V. Mahesh (ACE-M), Mr. Prahlad Rao (PRO), Mr. Srinivas Reddy (EE- East division), Mr. Gopal Gowda (AEE –East sub-division-3), Mr. Nagendra (AE - East sub-division-3) were present in the hearing. Mr. Mahesh chaired the hearing.
1st appeal had been filed on East Sub-division -3 and East division for not replying RTI applications. During the appeal Mr. Gopal Gowda and Mr. Srinivas Reddy was instructed to provide the information required within 15 days. Clarifications were made of the applications of which AEE and EE were not clear enough.

Few highlights of RTI impact:
1. There was not culture of calling for 1st appeal hearing in BWSSB. After Information Commissioner Sri Tippeswamy’s show-cause notice to ACE (M 1&2) for forwarding RTI application reg policy level matter to the sub-division, to control the 2nd appeal/complaint to the KIC current hearing on 1st appeal was called.
2. Till now whenever visited Cauvery Bhavan the treatment was not so good, now the meeting day everyone’s treatment not less than royal treatment only because of RTI. P.A. of the CE (M) herself took me to the cabin of Mr. V. Mahesh and every one was with full respect by offering the seat, tea and all. No one wanted me to wait for the meeting.
3. East sub-division -3 where it was told that Press and NGO people are not allowed, now they whole heartedly welcome to collect whatever information is required.
4. Mr. Gopal Gowda and Mr. Srinivas Reddy was instructed, as soon as they receive RTI application, no need to wait for 30days, whatever information is there immediately should be provided. If they have any doubts reg that, applicant should be contacted and made clear.

III. Works done/achievement narrated by community members mouth:
While conducting a survey for GRM in the surrounding areas mainly slum areas on 22.06.10 met a group of 4-5 men in Achari bande slum to have a discussion on water service delivery and collect grievances if any. The group was asking about the CIVIC working pattern, whether it is as same as the govt one, which doesn't have any follow-up or any proper system. Then the Community organizer Ms. Pushpa explained how the water problem in Rajeevgandhi slum was solved with CIVIC intervention. Which impressed the group and explained their area problem in detail as well as gave in writing.

So the impact from the mouth of a community member about how the community issues are being solved or the changes took place in the community, impacts more than explaining by a person/staff of the organization.

II Hearing with BWSSB reg. Linking borewell water to Cauvery water

a. Hearing on 15.04.2010

Important orders by the commission:
The case is reg RTI application pertaining to certified copies of linking borewells water to the BWSSB Cauvery water pipelines network in Bangalore urban area.



During the hearing Information Commisioner Sri Tippeswamy found ACE (1&2-M) has mechanically forwarded the applications related to policy matter downward without consulting the Chief Engineer.


Therefore Commission directed Mr. Sonnappa Reddy, Additional Chief Engineer (M-2) and Mr. V. Mahesh Additional Chief Engineer (M-1) to show cause within 30 days why action should not be taken against them under section 20 (1) of the RTI act to levy penalty for their lapses in dealing with the information.


They may make oral or written submission during the next hearing.


Even if they wish they may be personally present before the commission during the next hearing which is on 29.07.2010 at 3.30pm.

Hearings with BWSSB on 4 (1)(b) and defunct borewells

I. Hearing with BWSSB reg 4(1)(b) and defunct bore-wells


(a)Hearing Report on 07.08.2009
BWSSB PRO has failed to give right information, which civic asked through RTI.

3 information asked in the first application was:
• Urban pro poor policy
• Total number of poor families planned under this scheme to be covered.
• Total number of families given piped water connection under this policy.
PRO has not given any document regarding pro poor policy. But he has given other two information. In that he mentioned that, these are provided under pro poor policy.

CIVIC question during hearing:
CIVIC said that you should provide the policy documents, when you clearly stated about the schemes are in poor policy.
Then why can’t you provide the urban pro poor policy?
Why Implementation of all the projects will be mentioned like under pro poor policy. Even which says about the Slabs rates cut down.
For which PRO answered that ‘there is no proper pro poor policy prepared by the BWSSB’.
Recently when they sent proposal of 350 Crores project to JBICs. It has been mentioned regarding PPP.
He also mentioned, Slabs rates are all Government Orders. In that regard I am not able to answer
He agreed to give the copy of JBICs proposal and he also accepted urban pro poor policy should be prepare.

Second application consisted of 3 questions:
• The scheme/ project under which the proposed rejuvenation of 6000 bore wells is planned.
• The budget set aside for the scheme/ project.
• Plan of action to carryout the scheme/project
PRO has given documents for two questions and also it says still they are not maintaining any of these. And also he didn’t provide any documents for 3rd question.
Because of the CIVIC effort through RTI application, Direction has been given by KIC.

As per the clear instructions by the Commission, BWSSB has to revise suo moto. Mr. Anil from KRIA Katte and Ms Parveen from CIVIC had a meeting with the PRO on this and necessary help was given revise Suo moto.

(b)Hearing with BWSSB on 1.12.2009
On 1.12.2009 another hearing was held and again KIC gave instructions to BWSSB to prepare pro-poor policy and to revive the defunct borewells with the help of Karnataka Center for science and technology.

Changes with CIVIC intervention(on going):
1. Suo moto disclosure by BWS.SB
2. Revival of defunct borewells.
3. Proposed to construct recharge wells near borewells.

(c)Hearing with BWSSB on 18.03.2010
1. As per the direction given on last hearing BWSSB had to prepare 4(1)B, but during this hearing also it was not ready. Justice Mishra strictly warned the respondents (Mr. Prahlad Rao-PRO and Mr. Sonnappa Reddy- ACE-2) to prepare 4(1)B as soon as possible.
2. Even the defunct bore-well list displayed in the website doesn't consist full details and the Commission directed to provide the list with locations.
3. A plan of action should be prepared for the revival of the defunct bore-well.

Respondents reply:
1. Respondent Mr. Sonnappa Reddy said that the proper information about the bore-well locations lies with the sub-divisional offices, not in Cauvery Bhavan.
2. Regarding repair of defunct bore-wells and to construct recharge wells a letter has been written to Karnataka Center for Science and Technology.
3. Last month 300 bore-wells are been repaired.

Next Hearing 30.07.2010

(d) Hearing on 30.07.2010

Commission ordered BWSSB to take suggestions from CIVIC and make necessary changes in 4.1.b.

Next hearing date: 25.09.2010

IMPORTANT GOVT ORDERS IN BWSSB

Information collected through RTI regarding important govt orders with regard to water

Letter reg waival of water bills of slum connections.

GO on the unpaid monthly water bills of the slum dwellers up to 30.06.2008 which comes around 4,57,04226/-

 Board Order on free meter connection for identified 22870 households. 

JOB CHART BWSSB CAUVERY BHAVAN (MAIN OFFICIALS)

These Job charts of the higher officials of BWSSB does not convey anything other than how many officials/staffs are there under each one. Is the Job chart meant only for that or the Roles and responsibilities also?

OBJECTIVES - BWSSB

JOB CHART OF THE SUB-DIVISIONS - BWSSB

Job chart of BWSSB sub Division as per the information provided by BWSSB under RTI
Nowhere we can find in this job chart that which officer/staff is accountable to whom. Moreover there is no procedure which says about any kind of reporting system. Does this kind of Job charts are required in any department where the public can not hold anyone responsible when there are problems in the service delivery system.

NEWS REGARDING IMPORTANT BWSSB DECISIONS

Appointment of Special officers to monitor water supply

Extra 25 TMC water to the city.

ORGANOGRAM BWSSB