To tackle water theft, BWSSB formed flying squad and amended BWSSB Act. For the first time since 1964, the BWSSB Act equips the board to punish even abettors.The amended BWSSB Act has new sections 108A and 108B. This allows the board to book violators. Those found guilty will be punished with three-year jail or with penalty. Section 108 empowers the board to penalize any employee of the board or a licensed plumber who abets a person in water theft. Officials who abet the crime will face a three-year jail.
According to BWSSB Act “Water theft is defined as whoever dishonestly obtains water supply through illegal connection or uses tampered meter in any manner resulting in non-recording or wrong recording of consumption of water or damages or destroys water meter/apparatus so as to prevent accurate metering of water consumed, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three years or with fine; or both.”
With 34% of Bangalore’s water going unaccounted due to rampant water theft and illegal water connections, the BWSSB has decided to come down heavily on violators. “To bring in stringent measures to curb meter tampering and water theft, sections 108A and 108B have been inserted in the Act. This allows the board to book violators. Those found guilty will be punished with three-year jail or with penalty,” Said BWSSB chairman PB Ramamurthy. The BWSSB Act empowers the board to penalize any employee of the board or a licensed plumber who abets a person in water theft.
The flying squads have already identified 10 cases. “They are gathering evidence and soon we will file a case against violators in the court. Besides, 5,400 connections have been disconnected in 10 days in the drive against unauthorized connections,” said BWSSB chairman. “The flying squads comprise assistant engineers, junior engineers and water inspectors. The squads will gather evidence against those involved in water theft. They will prepare documents, file the case and gather evidence like photographs and videos,” Ramamurthy said.
Governor H R Bhardwaj approved The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage and Certain other laws (Amendment) Bill 2009 on April 14, 2010 and the government issued a gazette notification on April 16. Flying squads have been formed to tackle water theft. “The revenue enforcement cell has already started work. Once we get a case of water theft, we will have to file it before the magistrate court,” officials said.
