They seek water, BBMP plans heater

BANGALORE: While many from the economically weaker section residing in slums are deprived of water, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has plans to   distribute solar water heaters to them.The BBMP has reserved 22.75 per cent funds in its annual budget for welfare schemes for the SC/ST and other backward classes. The BBMP is now providing solar water heaters to the people residing in houses constructed under the 22.75 scheme. The proposal has been approved by the previous Standing Committee for           Social Justice.Former chairperson of the Committee K Mahesh Babu, confirmed that they have approved the proposal. He said under the 22.75 scheme, `3 lakh will be given to members of Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe to construct houses. And for the same residents, solar water heaters will be provided. “A 100-litre water capacity water heater will be provided to every household,” he said. According to a senior BBMP official, houses that were constructed under this scheme are 13 X 10 or 10 X 12 dimension. “We are providing the smallest solar heater which is ideal for a family of four. There are more than 7,500 houses constructed under the scheme and all of them will get the heaters in different phases,” an official said.Munishamappa, residing in a house constructed under the 22.75 scheme said, “It is the duty of civic agencies like BBMP and BWSSB to provide portable water. We fetch water from a borewell which is very far from our homes. What do we do with solar water heaters, when there is no water to take bath at all. BBMP should have provided drinking water instead of wasting money on such equipment.”