Date:09/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/09/stories/2007020905560500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Politician as BWSSB chief opposed

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Inefficient water supply and sewage disposal could be the likely fallout if a political candidate takes over as chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), fear employees.

The State Government has planned to appoint a politician as chairman of the board even though no such provision exists in the rules governing BWSSB functioning, according to R. Ramanna, president of BWSSB Employees Association here on Wednesday.

"Political interference could hamper the functioning of the board and result in low performance. Foreign agencies might hesitate to lend us funds," said Mr. Ramanna. He said that the board received no grants from the Government and relied solely on external funding. "We fear that having a political candidate could mean that we have less of a say in the functioning of the board," he said.