Water bill arrears in Mysuru city

Mysuru: Urban Development and Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has assured that the Government will take steps to resolve the issue of pending water bills amounting to several crores of rupees in Mysuru city, arising from alleged anomalies in the services handled by Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (JUSCO) between 2008 and 2015.

Replying to a query raised by Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda in Legislative Assembly, he said the Government was examining the demand to introduce a One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for clearing water bill arrears.

Harishgowda said water bill arrears in his Constituency alone amounted to Rs. 37.41 crore involving 43,510 domestic connections. JUSCO, which was entrusted with the operation and maintenance of the drinking water supply system during the period, had reportedly issued bills even for locked houses and levied minimum charges where water meters were not available. Interest was also charged on the arrears, he said.

The MLA questioned how water bills could be levied on empty houses and vacant sites, pointing out that a minimum charge of Rs. 100 was being collected in such cases in the city.

He said consumers were facing an unnecessary financial burden due to anomalies in billing system and urged the Government to rectify the issue at the earliest.