Looking at the parking chaos in the city few will grudge the raise but the unfortunate fact is that the parking lots are run in the most cavalier fashion.

One, the parking lots have not been fully developed nor are they kept neat and clean. Two, the BMC has failed to issue ID cards to the parking attendants and the contractors have failed to issue uniforms to the parking attendants to facilitate their identification.

The result is that all sorts of characters including children below 14 years of age are employed by the contractors whose sole job is to appear to collect the fees when one is leaving the parking lot. They are neither of any help in finding the parking slot nor in leaving the parking lot smoothly. They don't take any responsibility for the security of the vehicles parked in the parking lot even though the apex court has mandated that during the parking of a vehicle in a parking lot it is the duty of the parking attendant to ensue that the vehicle left in his charge is not damaged or stolen.

The BMC will be well advised to take the measures suggested above and save the motorists from being harassed and fleeced.

Scary water scarcity

Sample the following media reports on the drought conditions prevailing in MP:

* Water in areas under 106 civic bodies is being supplied on alternate days.

* At 22 places water is being supplied once in 3 days. · In 19 places, water is supplied once in 4 days or more

* In Chandermeta Nagar Panchayat water is supplied once in 9 days

* In Dewas, Bakswaha and Damoh water is being supplied once in 3 days.

* In 19 places water is supplied once in 4 days or more.

* Underground water level has slipped further posing serious problems of water scarcity in April and May.

Bhopal facing acute water crisis

The government of Madhya Pradesh was reported to have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 50 crore in the current financial year for relief operations in urban and rural areas. It should quickly release it plans to overcome the widespread water famine haunting the state. Funds allocation is all right but what really matters is honest and timely delivery. Unfortunately, government's past performance doesn't inspire confidence in its ability to deliver. Let us hope it doesn't disappoint once again and the funds allocated are protected against pilferage and diversion.