Kundapura: Tactical Privatization of Water – Dr. Kshitiz Uras
By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network
Kundapura, 08 June 2011: There is a system currently working on providing water to the people from our own water source and thus tries to make crores of rupees profit in our state, even without the knowledge of the people’s representatives, said Dr. Kshithiz Uras from Action Aid Company, Bangalore. He was speaking on a debate held on the advantages and disadvantages of water privatization, organized at Kundapura Purasabhe new Community Bhavana.
With a slogan 24x7, a American team of water trading company namely U.S. Water Trade Mission, is looking to capture our country’s water with a expectation of 50 Billion dollars profit in the next 5 years. As per them, 24x7 means 8 hours and this company will be benefitting 2.50 lakhs crores from our state. United Nations instigated this business and pressurizing that if the financial help is required from the World Bank then these rules have to be complied.
As a result the governments without knowing about this, have given the permission for the water privatization. This is an huge blow to the democracy, he said. Speaking on the occasion Damodar Acharya of Grama Panchayath Rights Activist Coordinating Committee said that water is our life source, this should not be sold. Water is human being’s fundamental right. Before getting into a situation that we will have to purchase it, we all need to wake up, he said.
Grama Panchayath Rights Activist Committee Coordinator T. B. Shetty gave an opening speech. Venkatesh Mudkeri welcomed and also proposed vote of thanks. In the debate program Kundapura Purasabhe President Mohandas Shenoy, Vice President Kalavathi, Members; Rajesh Kaveri, Kenchanooru Somashekara Shetty, Former President of Koraga Abhivradhi Sangha Union Gowri, Ramesh from Karkala Koraga Union, Prashanth Tholar, Rajendra Tholar, Ashok from Udupi Samagra Gramina Ashrama, G. P. Venkatesh form Mailareshwara Youth Club, N. Nageshchandra Bhat, Dinesh Gode, Udaya Ganwkar, Vittala Kunder, Venkatesh Koni and others were present.