Mysore/Mysuru: The State Government has spiked the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) proposal seeking permission to waive off interest on pending water bills of consumers which runs into crores of rupees.

This has come as a shocker to  Mysureans who were expecting the Government to okay this proposal in view of prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the accrued interest amount was more than the pending water bill, the Government has strictly told the MCC to collect interest from the consumers concerned without any mercy. 

The Corporators, cutting across the party lines, were hoping that the Government would agree to the MCC’s proposal to waive interest on water bill. But, the Government has struck down the proposal with a directive to the Corporation to collect every paisa from consumers.

The proposal seeking interest waiver was not new as it was sent to the Government four years ago. However, there was no response from the Government. 

This was brought to the notice of Urban Development Minister, Byrati Basavaraj during a review meeting held in city a few months ago. 

In previous Council meeting, Corporator B.V. Manjunath wanted to know the Government’s reply to the MCC’s proposal on interest waiver that had been pending for almost four years. He had contended that the Corporation would suffer loss if it collects water tax from residents of revenue layouts from the date of installing water meters.  

At least minimum rate should be collected from the date of house construction, he added. 

It would be additional burden for those citizens who have taken water connection legally. So, the MCC must collect only water bill and waive interest part, he had said.

The Urban Department has written to MCC Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde stating “The State Government went through your proposal seeking waiver of interest of customers in the Corporation limits. Since the proposal is going to cause huge financial loss to the Corporation, the Urban Development has not only rejected your proposal but also has advised you to take effective steps for the collection of pending amount with interest.”