Date:11/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/11/stories/2007071153771100.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

KWA to introduce spot-billing system

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is planning to introduce spot-billing system all over the State, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran has said.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Premachandran said the KWA was planning to emulate the model set by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in spot-billing. Adalats would be held in all districts and KWA divisions annually to redress the grievances of customers.

As many as 4,207 complaints were received at the adalats held by the KWA.

The Government was examining the possibilities of framing an exclusive water supply scheme for industries. The proposed Kerala Water Supply and Sewerage Act would have stringent provisions to check drinking water pilferage.

As many as 500 drinking water projects taken up by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) had been left incomplete. Unauthorised connections would not be legalised, he said.

Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas said that no irregularity was reported in sanctioning loans from the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC). Other than the statutory auditing, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) too conducted regular auditing. A floor at the Trans Towers at Vazhuthacaud was rented out to Reliance through open tender. The company had remitted a deposit of Rs.1,10,70,000 and was paying a monthly rent of Rs.1,17,700. Renting out the building to a company like Reliance was against the Government policy and it would be examined.

Till April last, 3,227 posts of drivers and 3,787 posts of conductors were remaining vacant in KSRTC. All these vacancies had been reported to the Public Service Commission, Mr. Thomas said.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the CBI was probing 53 cases in the State.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the Government was planning to open a reception counter at the Secretariat to avoid the inconvenience faced by the public.