The Darjeeling Municipality and residents of some parts of Jorebunglow have come to logger heads, following the municipality shutting down water lines to many homes.
According to Municipal authorities, they shut down water lines that had been tapped directly and 'illegally' from the Rambi pipeline. But Jorebunglow residents claim their connections were legitimate.
Municipal authorities stated that, "majority of those connections are illegal... in fact most of those buildings do not have proper documentation, and we have not approved any water connection... they were tapping directly into the water lines and literally stealing water... We have no problem in reconnecting those that can show us proper documentation..."
However, Jorebunglow residents disagree, one of them said, "see Darjeeling municipality has failed to provide drinking water to the residents of Jorebunglow... all the water that goes to Darjeeling town region, goes from here... and we are deprived... we don't even have public water taps here... we will shut down Jorebunglow if they don't restore water connections."
Municipal authorities are however standing by their actions, and have said, "We need to restore proper procedure in Darjeeling, we cannot allow the situation to continue as it is... we request the public to support us in our endeavour to clean up our system... we shave started with Jorebunglow which is Ward - I and we will move to other wards in similar fashion... we will not allow theft of public property anymore... this needs to stop."
When asked if and how Jorebunglow residents can appeal for restoration of connection, the municipal authorities said, "they are welcome to visit Darjeeling Municipality with their land deeds and building permits, we will verify who have been given genuine connections and restore those immediately... those who do not have legitimate permit need to apply for the same, they have to follow the due process of the law... they cannot and should not be allowed to hold the community hostage by shutting down business establishments... we request the people not to support illegal connections... those who use public resources like water, should also have to be willing to pay for it."
Via - TheDC
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| Public poster as Jorebunglow shuts down as Municipality cuts water lines allegedly 'illegally' |
Municipal authorities stated that, "majority of those connections are illegal... in fact most of those buildings do not have proper documentation, and we have not approved any water connection... they were tapping directly into the water lines and literally stealing water... We have no problem in reconnecting those that can show us proper documentation..."
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| Jorebunglow people Protest by shutting down business establishments. |
Municipal authorities are however standing by their actions, and have said, "We need to restore proper procedure in Darjeeling, we cannot allow the situation to continue as it is... we request the public to support us in our endeavour to clean up our system... we shave started with Jorebunglow which is Ward - I and we will move to other wards in similar fashion... we will not allow theft of public property anymore... this needs to stop."
When asked if and how Jorebunglow residents can appeal for restoration of connection, the municipal authorities said, "they are welcome to visit Darjeeling Municipality with their land deeds and building permits, we will verify who have been given genuine connections and restore those immediately... those who do not have legitimate permit need to apply for the same, they have to follow the due process of the law... they cannot and should not be allowed to hold the community hostage by shutting down business establishments... we request the people not to support illegal connections... those who use public resources like water, should also have to be willing to pay for it."
Via - TheDC
