The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board on Monday appealed to the various government departments to clear their water bills, which cumulatively amount to Rs. 122.31 crore.
Pleading with the various government departments to clear pending bills, the HMWSSB stated that it is passing through a "severe financial crunch", and was unable to pay power charges for the last 2 months - that have piled up to approximately Rs. 40 crore.
Pointing out that if it does not clear its power bills it would not be able to maintain the operation and maintenance system, the HMWSSB pleaded with the concerned Principal Secretaries of various government departments to clear the bills.
The Principal Secretaries were also informed that though the departments had not cleared their water cess arrears, it has not cut off the water supply yet.
The HMWSSB pointed out that it is supplying an adequate quantity of water to the residents of GHMC areas and government departments, and also to surrounding municipalities, en route villages and Gram Panchayats.
It also said it has enhanced the quantity of supply for the benefits of the residents, and yet payments are not being received regularly, resulting to a short-fall in Board finances.
According to the HMWSSB, the Panchayat Raj Department, along with the various Gram Panchayats which fall under it, owes a whopping Rs. 29.60 crore in arrears to the Board. Likewise, the Municipal Administration Department, with the various municipalities under it, owes the Board Rs. 22.32 crore. The Medical And Health department, with the various hospitals under it, owes the HMWSSB Rs. 2.36 crore, the Police department has to pay Rs. 5.09 crore, and the GHMC has to pay Rs. 62.94 crore.