The centre stage for the ongoing extortion racket is the 8th Cross in the First Stage, which has three pipes lining the street that supply Cauvery water. Water is supplied here thrice a week.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has not appointed a valve man to regulate the water supply. Instead, two women (Jabeen and Ameena) and a couple of men who serve as their aides have reportedly taken control of the water distribution.
They have fixed valves to the pipes and only this ‘water distribution mafia gang’ is permitted to operate them. No wonder, the people are at their mercy. The payment rates are Rs 100 per month or Rs 10 for three pots of water. Fear that they would be deprived of their quota of water supply if they dare to protest is uppermost on the minds of most of the women here.
A middle-aged MNC employee, residing nearby, states the racket has been taking place ever since Cauvery water was supplied to the area nearly two years ago.
The HBR Residents Welfare Association has filed a complaint at the Hennur police station on Tuesday. The inspector reluctantly took the complaint, alleged Anees Ahmed, Association General Secretary.
BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer, Kalyan Nagar, Malla Reddy professed ignorance about the whole issue. BWSSB employee regulates the water supply, he claimed. He also threatened to take action against those demanding money from the public.
DH News Service