Absence of water tax bill adding to AMC’s losses

Aurangabad: The cash-strapped civic body is losing considerable revenue in the form of water tax because, as some citizens claimed that it has not been included in the annual general tax bills for two to three years.

Moreover, some citizens told TOI that they went to pay the water tax but were unable to do so in the absence of records with the AMC.

“When enquired with respective ward offices about the bills, the residents are told to bring their last bill payment receipt but the offices do not have data on previous bills or payments,” said a citizen.

Currently, the annual tax for water supply fixed by the AMC is Rs 4,050. The Aurangabad City Water Utility Co Ltd (ACWUCL) was handling the water supply management of the city under a two-year contract, which ended in September 2016.

According to citizens, the ACWUCL, during its tenure, regularly issued bills to consumers, leading to an increase in the water tax recovery. However, after the AMC took over the water supply management from the company, the citizens have not received bills.

The civic body administration which claims to be taking measures to increase its income is unsure about the water tax collection.

According to Cidco N-1 resident Bhalchandra Amrutkar, a retired bank employee, no water bill has been sent to him by the AMC for the last two to three years.

“When we go to our ward office to voluntarily pay the bills, they do not have any details with them about our bills or last payments. Based on the previous receipts, we pay the bill in advance,” he said.

Cidco N-2 resident Shivkumar Padalkar, a retired bank employee by profession, said that during the time ACWUCL was managing water supply, they used to get quarterly water bills.

Asked about the issue, AMC tax officer Karan Chavan said, “We do not have the data on the water consumers, the bills they have paid or the dues. Currently, the civic body has less than 25% tax recovery. This issue has been taken up with the new municipal commissioner, Astik Kumar Pandey. Next week, we will chalk out a strategy to regularise water tax.”

Soon after taking over the reins, the civic chief vowed to increase the revenue of the municipal corporation and tap different sources for it. He has also urged citizens to play an active role in improving the city by cooperating with the AMC.