HDMC gets rap from residents over OTS

HUBLI: The HDMC which is under attack for supplying water once in 8-10 days has been rapped by the residents with regard to one time settlement (OTS) scheme to collect the long pending water bill dues. Sources said residents who are put into all sorts oftrouble with the improper supply of water, openly vented their ire on the HDMCstaff when the staff they had gone to their doors to claim pending bills. Someof them even told that they will not pay the bills and asked to do whatever theycould.Only 10 per cent out of 45,000 consumers who have their waterbills pending to the tune of Rs 49 crore have positively responded to the schemeafter it came into effect two months back. So far only Rs 2 crore has beenrecovered.This is despite the good PR done by HDMC likeadvertisements in media, mike announcements, distribution of pamphlets,convincing residents through bill collectors and even issuing notices warningdisconnection. Water Board executive engineer K P Jayaram saidarrears up to Rs 1 crore each was collected in March and April from 2,796 and1,734 consumers respectively. On the poor response for OTS, he said since it wassummer and water crisis had peaked in twin cities, good results could not beachieved.He said while the response to the OTS from wards havingextension areas was okay, the old city areas have poorly responded. For exampleonly three consumers have paid the arrears in ward number 48.Door-to-door visit mootedJayaram said the officials aregathering ward wise data of the water consumers who have kept the bills pending.Once the data collection is over, they will pay door-to-door visits to convincethe residents to pay the arrears. They will be told that they will be in deeptrouble and do nothing if the water connection is disconnected. He said twovehicles will be devoted for the purpose. Some of them have not paid the billsfrom as long as 20 years.Now the consumers have only one monthremaining to pay their dues without any interest. For the next three months, thepending bills will attract 50 percent interest and after that those not obligingwill have their water connections disconnected, said Jayaram.