Team Herald
PONDA: Complaining of exorbitant water bills, Ponda consumers on Tuesday urged the government to withdraw the new tariff hike, correction in water bills and demanded to issue monthly water bills.
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Stating that they received exorbitant water bills to the tune of Rs 5,000 to 6,800 (for a period of 72 days i.e two and half month), Ponda consumers residing in flats of societies as well as houses protested at the PWD Water Division Office, Daag-Ponda.
They also demanded Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s intervention into the matter.
The consumers said that the hefty water bills during the COVID19 pandemic brought tears in their eyes and demanded to withdraw the new tariff hike and correction in the bills.
The consumers demanded to withdraw the tariff hike with increase rate slab implemented by the government from September 1, 2021.They also demanded correction in water bills and to issue monthly water bills.
As the Assistant Engineer was attending at a meeting in Panjim, the consumers discussed the issue with Junior Engineer Gaunekar.
The PWD staff pointed out to the revised tariff that is implemented from September 1 and accordingly the bills are issued.
The JE said that the exorbitant bills to the consumers residing in flats of society may be due to calculation and technical mistake.
He said, “In case of flats in society there is a need for dividing of total consumption of units for every individual flat owners and for this they need to apply for benefit which will reduce their monthly bills. This hefty bill issue is only with the people residing in flats in the building or society and can be sorted out. There is no issue in case of individual house connection.”
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar who led the locals said, “Earlier a single flat owner with society building comprising of eight to 10 flats used to get a monthly bill to the tune of Rs 700 to 800 per month were expected to receive Rs 2,500 for the 72 days period. However, now a single flat owner received bill to the tune of Rs 5,000 to 6,000 for a period of two and half month.”
