Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070458720100.htm

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HMWSSB asked not to collect Rs. 125 per flat

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board will not hereafter collect Rs. 125 per flat monthly from apartments lying in and around Hyderabad as it is doing currently in addition to the tariff payable by these apartments for water supplied.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy issued a strict warning to the board officials against collecting any amount outside the purview of tariff on water supplied and, much less the Rs. 125, while reviewing the issues relating to Hyderabad and its neighbourhood here on Friday. At the same time, he asked citizens to inform him or Health Minister D. Nagendar, if any HMWSSB officer demanded and collected the Rs. 125 per flat over the tariff payable on metered water supply during a month. The collection of Rs. 125 was widely criticised by apartment-owners all over.

The government has proposed to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to share the expenditure burden of the HMWSSB by making a regular revenue contribution to the water board under a formula.

This was mooted at a meeting convened by the Chief Minister to discuss ways to bale out HMWSSB which is facing heavy financial burden after its jurisdiction was extended to the expanding urban agglomeration. The Board faces a monthly deficit of Rs. 8 crore.

A team of officials from GHMC and HMWSSB will visit Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai immediately to study the reasons for water boards there being sound financially and work out a formula for funding by the GHMC.