Deepak Kumar Singh & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, June 11: In a rising wave of public outrage, residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged Water ATM scandal, which has seen a significant amount of public money siphoned off.
Installed in various locations within the Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) area and several panchayats, these Water ATMs were intended to provide clean drinking water at minimal costs and reduce plastic use. However, reports indicate that many of these Water ATMs are non-functional, leading to accusations of a scam involving lakhs of rupees.
Islanders allege that despite the substantial expenditure on these installations, many units are currently out of order and surprisingly no efforts could be seen to repair or reinstall the water ATMs. This has forced residents to revert to purchasing plastic bottles, undermining both the project’s environmental and public health goals.
Residents express frustration at the administration’s silence on the issue, highlighting the waste of taxpayers’ money. “Why is the administration silent on this issue? It’s our money that’s been wasted,” said one local resident, echoing a common sentiment.
In interviews with islanders, it became clear that there is widespread dissatisfaction with how the project has been managed. “The administration needs to take this seriously. Water ATMs are essential, especially given the island’s climate and the need for affordable drinking water. Many have reported issues such as water not being cooled or water ATMs being completely inoperative,” says Mr Anshuman Roy, Youth President, Hindu Rastriya Shakti, A & N Islands when asked about the problems being faced by public.
Questions have also been raised about the tender process, the companies involved, and the maintenance protocols. “We need to know who was responsible for this, and why the maintenance has been so poor,” one panchayat member stated. “It’s not just about installation; it’s about ensuring these facilities continue to serve the public,” Abhi Bhushan Ghosh, the Vice President of Youth Congress told Andaman Sheekha.
Mr. MP Abdul Rasheed of Ration Rasheed Foundation also expressed his concern over the non-functional Water ATMs, highlighting the severity of the issue. “Unfortunately, I believe that not just 90%, but at least 99% of these ATMs are not working. This is a major issue that requires the administration’s attention, as well as that of public representatives, because government money has been invested for the public’s benefit. If there are administrative problems, my suggestion is to hand over the maintenance and running operations to local NGOs or Self-Help Groups (SSGs), including differently-abled individuals, so that the funds are used properly, and the service continues smoothly. This will benefit the locals and tourists alike, fulfilling the original purpose of the project,” he added.
There are many citizens who do not want their names to be quoted on this issue but are equally concerned and are now demanding a thorough inquiry into the entire matter. After all, it’s all taxpayers’ money, and accountability must be fixed.
This should be an enquiry and any found in this scandal may be brought to public concern and punished the responsible on this if found guilty as per law.