PANJIM: PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar on Wednesday defended the government from criticism against the recently announced free water scheme and claimed former PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar had done ‘nothing’ during his tenure.
Pauskar also spoke about the benefits of the scheme and said there were no major changes as is being claimed.
Pauskar said, “Besides ensuring the public gets free water up to 16,000 litres per month, customers won’t have to pay for sewerage connections in the future, meter rent or annual inspection charges.”
On general infrastructure, Pauskar explained that Goa requires 600 mld of water out of which Goa gets 525 mld from the various water treatment plants that exist.
“Via the construction of new water treatment plants, which will be ready by December this year, Goa will get another 70-75 mld of water which will ensure that the State gets its entire water requirement,” explained the minister.
“At present the shortfall is managed by tankers,” he said.
Pauskar hit out at Dhavalikar who had criticised him (Pauskar) on Tuesday and asked why Dhavalikar didn’t sort out these water supply issues during his tenures as PWD Minister in successive governments.
“During my own short tenure as the sitting PWD minister, not only have I sorted the water supply issue, but I am also getting 40-year-old pipelines replaced via the National Jal Jeevan Mission,” he added.
He said the department has also been building storage tanks such as overhead tanks, water reservoirs, etc, to sort out the pressure issue that was preventing water from reaching some areas.
“The department is working as per schedule to ensure that people get water on time,” Pauskar reiterated.
