Dues of undivided AP to Water Board: Who’ll pay up?

Govt organisations owe Rs 300 crore to the Water Board. Both Telangana and AP govts refuse to share the debt even as the HMWS&SB is hit by unpaid dues and bad debts of Rs 1,000 crore.

Rs 1,000 crore! This is the amount which is usually given to any scheme or project when the annual budget of the state is announced. But unfortunately, that is the amount which the debtors owe to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (HMWS&SB). The callous attitude on the part of the users and the inept staff has compounded the woes of the Water Board. The unpaid dues and bad debts, which used to be in the tune of Rs 20 to 30 crore, has rose exponentially to Rs 1000 crore.

As on August 7, the dues pending with the Water Board amount up to Rs 1,019 crore. This is wreaking the cash strapped board, which is paying more than what it earns for electricity charges every month. Even though the officials had come up with one time settlement programme, it had failed to invoke any response from the users.

Government organisations owe more than Rs 300 crore

Various government organisations have to pay the Water Board Rs 300 crore but now the payment of these dues are in jeopardy. Reportedly, the Water Board was asked to finalise on the unit price before bifurcation (June 2). However, the officials failed to zero in on the price. With most organisations being bifurcated, there is confusion regarding who has to pay the dues.

In-charge MD Jagadeeshwar has written to the chief secretaries of Telangana and Andhra in this regard. The letter states that as properties and dues of the state were bifurcated, the water dues too should be divided in the ratio of 58:42. The authorities are awaiting a response from both the governments.

Big players owe huge money

The debtors list includes noted private hospitals, commercial establishments and businessmen. Reportedly, a private hospital has secured an illegal connection and has been drawing water. The Water Board officials have identified the same and slapped a fine of Rs 7 lakh. This took place in the month of January and the dues are yet to be paid.

People and organisations that have to pay dues more than Rs 1 lakh are in thousands. This is just from the city. Organisations and people from the Old City have to pay dues amounting to Rs 200 crore. Though the officials have filed cases against the debtors, there is no help from the police.

“The debts and dues have reached Rs 1,000 crore. With no response for the one time settlement scheme, we have no other option but to seize the property. We will serve red notices to the debtors with dues more than Rs 1 lakh and they will have to clear the dues within 15 days of receiving the notice, failing which, we will seize the property and auction them to realise the dues,” said Jagadeeshwar, in-charge MD, Water Board.