Its not that I don’t know there exists a huge water problem in our city. There are many areas that don’t get water for days together. The problem has been continuing for the past so many years. Why?
The answer to this question is because the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has not undertaken any major work related to water supply in the past few years.
Again, the question arises why?
The reason for this is that the parties namely the BJP and Shiv Sena that have been in power at the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for over three decades now have never realised the priorities for this city. Water problem could have been solved had the AMC ever wanted. But, their interest was somewhere else. They wanted the city’s water bank to be handed over to a private player who would then make big money out of it. And when he is making money then obviously the people who are supporting him will make some too!!
People ask me why I have been so strongly opposing the Samantar project when actually it has been projected as something which would solve the perennial problem of water shortage of this growing city. Let me clarify that I have never objected to the scheme per se, my objection has always been to the privatisation of water. My objection has been to the company, the Aurangabad City Water Utility Company which is owned/managed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Mr Subhash Chandra Goyal who also runs a bouquet of Zee channels.
I am always told by the BJP/Sena MP, MLAs, mayor and their party leaders who all keep on convincing me how this company would help solve the water problems of the city. How this company is just too good. I have always shot back saying if the company is so good then why the chief minister of the BJP or the Thackerays' have not taken it to Nagpur or Pune or Nashik or Mumbai. Why all these bogus experiments are done only in Aurangabad. Why all private players want to play in Aurangabad only and not in any other city. Why doesn’t the Shiv Sena or BJP implement these types of money-making projects in other cities and why just my Aurangabad? Why?
The answer again is simply because the people of my city don't bother. They are just too laid back. They don't want to fight for their rights. They don't want to stand up against the wrongs that has been happening in this city. They have developed a 'who cares' attitude. But one thing about them is that they are just too good at complaining. They are good at criticising and condemning. They leave no opportunity to talk about how bad the political class is! How politicians have ruined the city. I agree to whatever you say. But can I ask you humbly and with all humility what have you, yes you as a citizen done to make things better. To stop the political class from taking wrong decisions which they have been taking for their own vested/commercial interests.
For four years now I have been fighting a lone battle from among the political fraternity against this disastrous decision of the AMC of giving my city's water in the hands of a private company. From along the citizens there are just about a few good people like Rajendra Date Patil, Vijay Dewan, K B Bhoge, Kaleem Akhtar, Vijay Shirsath and a few others who too have been fighting at their own level. But all our efforts, our struggle will prove futile on Monday when the Shiv Sena and BJP will come together in the Special General Body to pass a resolution favouring the company. And the people of the city who have voted us will remain mute spectators just as they have been for so many years.
One friend told me, ''Imtiaz bhai elections mein bahut paisa lagenga'' why don't you just take your share, your cut from the company and let the city go to dogs!"
I smiled and told myself, on Monday when politicians from the ruling parties will be counting their share, their cut, I will go to sleep with the thought, at least I tried. I did not cheat the people who voted me and gave me the power to take decisions on their behalf.
Sorry Aurangabad, and yes welcome Mr Subhash Chandra.
[The writer Imtiyaz Jaleel is a former journalist and currently AIMIM MLA from Aurangabad.]
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App
Select Langauge To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic
Post Comments
| Quick links