Hearing of the PIL against privatisation of lakes

[anushsh]

Yesterday deponti and I attended the High Court hearing of the PIL against the Privatisation of Lakes in Bangalore. The outcome wasn't great. The PIL was filed by ESG on behalf of HasiruUsiru with Leo Saldanha as the petitioner-in-person.

When the hearing started, we were wondering what was happening as there were about 16 lawyers arguing against this case

Comments

[deponti]

excellent report...I can't write about this right now, so I am glad you can!

[birdonthewire]

Wow, I didn't know they were privatizing lakes too! But the govt really is doing such an awful job of maintaining lakes, the arekere lake is invisible now with the water hyacinths pretty much having taken over the entire lake. The Madivala lake seems to be going that way too. The lake near Brigade Millenium (Puttenahalli?) is pretty much dead.

Lake privatization is an incredible acknowledgment of govt incompetence, but assuming incompetence for granted in the present scenario, maybe privatization isn't such a bad idea, no? Could at least improve things a bit...

In the case of water privatization, I think that's a bad idea, but in this case, the way I see it, lakes & the area around them could be commercially exploited for "fun/family time", without ruining the environment around. So long as it's not handed over to some arbit contractor with the only intent of maximizing his profits, I can actually see merit in this idea.

[anushsh]

Yep, if it was Public-Private partnership type of initiative things would have worked well. Corporates who aren't in there to make money would have come foward.

But this is totally different thing. They are just leasing out the lakes to someone. Imagine Oberoi putting up full page ads "Oberoi Hebbal" and what happens next? Leasing out lakes is a super bad idea. While the construction has just started, they are restricting the access to the park. What happens once the construction is done? I am not sure if they will make it freely accessible to the public.

[birdonthewire]

Didn't read that Oberoi link earlier. I agree they shouldn't be restricting access to the lake/park. That beats the whole purpose. Regarding the environmental violations, if they are responsible, they should certainly be pulled up for it

[inspirethoughts]

What the hell! Privatisation of Lakes. I thght that was the least govt could do to the people who had elected them and pay taxes for. Where are they eating all the money...into their bellies...gosh. another step downhill.

I am glad people like u are fighting for it. I am sure once the land is privatised, a skyscraper will emerge soon. :( So pathetic of our govt.

[oldhen]

Wow - that is truly disgusting, I didn't realise the privatisation drive had gone this far.. They'll be coming for the parks and the water next..

On a bigger picture note - it seems to me that we the people have to take back control of the spaces we live and work in. Our engagement with "democracy" begins and ends with the ballot box, which is an arrangement that of course suits our "rulers" just fine.. Changing this system will need a real shake-up methinks. Have you been involved with the ESG?

[anushsh]

Yes, completely agree with you. The authorities aren't ready to listen to the citizens.
Yes, I have been a volunteer at HasiruUsiru which works with ESG.

[wild_guy]

Is this the same "Adopt a lake" for 5 years scheme? I thought that a step in the right direction. But that scheme received a luke warm reponse.
(http://www.citizenmatters.in/articles/print/32-lukewarm-response).

This clearly exposes the govt's inability to maintain the lakes. That way handing over the maintenance of the lakes to private bodies seems like a good idea. But it should come with clauses ensuring that the private body does not take undue advantage of the situation and focus on minting $$$.

The security guards preventing access to some portions....I cannot digest this.

-Krish