Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Opposition benches on Tuesday grilled Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ramkrishna, alias Sudin, Dhavalikar on the floor of the House over faulty water billing system as a result of new water meters installed under JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
Defending the new B Class Water Meters, the minister admitted mistakes committed by the meter readers resulting into hefty bills received by the consumers and assured to rectify the same. The government has issued show cause notice to around 30-40 meter readers seeking their say and thereafter necessary action would be initiated, he told the House.
The crucial question on the newly installed meters under JICA, jointly was tabled by Congress MLA Digambar Kamat, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai and Atanasio Monserrate, was discussed for nearly 40 minutes, where the opposition pointed out that the consumers are receiving bills from Rs 25,000 to two lakhs for six to seven months.
The ruling MLAs including Minister Rajendra Arlekar tried to sabotage the discussion stating that the question is been dragged halting further proceedings.
As per Government reply, of the total 93,459 meters to be installed under the scheme, 70,259 have been fitted, most in Salcete taluka. The government has received total 266 complains of access billing.
Sardessai informed the House that as a result of new meters, consumers are receiving hefty bills, which the department claims are accumulated payment for six to eight months. “Consumers are coming to us with the complaints that the new meters capture even a drop flow and the same is billed,” he said demanding that the process to install the meters be suspended until governments rectify the faults.
The Fatorda MLA even pointed out the Delay Payment charges of two per cent per month are charged for non-payment or delay in payment of the bill. “Not just this, the consumers have to shell out Rs 150 if they want to recheck the meter reading on finding access billing,” he stated demanding that the two per cent charge be reduced.
The MLA was rightly supported by Kamat, who placed two cases before the House — one where the people from slums of Moti Dongor, who normally get a monthly bill of Rs 150-Rs 200 per house, are today issued bills amounting to Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000 for six months.
“Moreover, a family of four, who is otherwise charged Rs 300 per month, has now got bill of Rs 33,000,” former Chief minister said demanding rectification.
Responding to the queries, Dhavalikar said that the complaints received as against the installation is mere 0.36 per cent and nothing worth to be worried about. “Even then, it was a mistake done by the meter readers, untrained people were recruited on the post by the then Congress government,” he said.
The minister said that the feasibility study carried out by JICA during preparation of Master Plan revealed that the Water Meters procured by Department under DGS&D Rate Contract go out of order within 6 to 12 months from the date of installation. “The Master Plan indicated replacement of old meters by good quality water meters which would read the correct consumption of water by the consumers and help in proper accounting of water supplied by the Department,” he justified.
