State, Central departments owe HMWS&SB Rs 1,519 crores

Hyderabad: Top defaulters of water bill dues in the city are not the general public, but government departments. The arrears of unpaid bills of both the Central and the State government departments are over Rs 1,519 crore.

There are over 25 State departments and agencies which have pending bills of Rs 1,267.29 crore, while the Central departments' bills total Rs 251.84 crore.

The State departments include Mission Bhageeratha (dues of Rs 601 crore), PR&RD (Rs 594 crore), Health, Medical & Family Welfare (Rs 42 crore), Housing (Rs 22 crore, Home (Rs 15 crore), GAD (Rs 9 crore).

According to the Forum for Good Governance which filed an RTI, the Chief General Manager (Revenue), Water Board, informed that Rs 1,519 crore is due from various State and Central departments and agencies. He mentions that he is regularly pursuing the matter by writing letters, but there is no response.

The "Forum for Good Governance requests the Chief Secretary to government to issue suitable instructions to all heads of the departments and others to clear the pending water charges so that they can improve services," said M Padmanabha Reddy, secretary, FGG.

The main source of revenue to the board is water charges. While citizens are regularly paying the water charges, the problem is only with government institutions. "Due to financial crunch, the board is unable to replace old rusting supply lines, as a result people are getting contaminated water and becoming sick," he pointed out.

As per Section 199 of GHMC Act, property tax includes, levies on water, drainage, lighting , conservancy. When a citizen pays property tax (house tax) to the GHMC it implies that he is also paying water and drainage tax. Again, the board separately collects water and drainage tax, it amounts to double payment for providing water. Nevertheless, without grumbling, residents of Hyderabad are paying water charges. When it comes to government departments and agencies, large amounts are due for years causing losses to the board. By not paying water charges, the government is setting a wrong example," added Reddy.