Water Board to shut windows

Md A Basith / TNN / Jan 29, 2006, 02:14 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Finding the SWC extensions a burden on the exchequer, Water Board is planning to close them down for all.

HYDERABAD: Finding the single window cell (SWC) extensions a burden on the exchequer, the Water Board is apparently planning to close them down once and for all.
While the SWC at Marredpally has been closed for the past two months, the board has recently shifted some staff of Goshamahal SWC to various divisions for collection of bills.
As a result, transactions at Goshamahal has almost stopped and it is suspected that the centre too will have a similar fate.
Pressure on the board from divisional officials to restore their power of sanctioning new water connections��like the pre-SWC regime��is touted as the reason behind resorting to the old practice.

The concept of SWC was introduced in 1998 by then managing-director L V Subramanyam. The aim was to simplify the procedure of sanctioning new water connections.
Prior to this, the power of sanctioning new connections was lying with the managers of the respective divisions. During the pre-SWC regime, getting a fresh connection was a time-consuming process.
There were allegations that managers used to make lot of money causing loss to the board's revenue. Subsequently, the Water Board introduced SWC cell at its head office at Khairatabad.

Consumers used to apply for new connections and pay the prescribed fees at the centralised counter in Khairatabad.
The authorities used to forward the applications to respective divisional managers who, in turn, carry out the process.
Since the SWC was doing well, the service was extended with the opening of new extensions at Goshamahal and Marredpally.
Separate infrastructure was created for the new centres and officers from the Water Board were transferred to take care of the centres besides recruiting youth on contract basis.
When everything was going smooth for sometime, the board authorities started finding the maintenance of these extension counters difficult. Slowly the red-tapism reverted and employees started showing sluggishness in collection of bills and other activities.
According to official sources, the SWC at Khairatabad will run for some more time. But the board has reportedly decided to withdraw the system and hence there would be no SWC in next couple of months.

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA