Curchorem water consumers protest inflated bills issued after six months

CURCHOREM: The residents from various areas of Curchorem marched to the Public Work Department (PWD) office at Bansai, here, in protest against high tariffs water bills issued to them almost after six months.

The agitated consumers said that they have suddenly received exorbitant water bills despite the fact that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had made an announcement on Independence Day that 16,000 litres of water will be provided to every household free per month from September 1, 2021.

William Fernandes, a resident from Bebquegal, Curchorem   said that except clerical staff, no officer including the assistant engineer was present when they went to the PWD office. “Bills were not issued for the last six months by the PWD and now suddenly they issued bills with arrears and at the flat rate of 25 per cent raising the amount very high. No officer concerned was present in the office to listen to our grievances and give satisfactory replies,” Fernandes said adding that he received water bill of Rs 24,000.

Another consumer Amar Naik said that after the government announcement of free water scheme no bills were issued and now he received a bill with total amount of Rs 9,900. 

“I was getting a bill of around Rs 500 to Rs 700 per month for my residential connection but after six months I got bill of Rs 9,900.” 

“Even if the government wanted to hide increase in tariff by promising free water, why they hold the bills for six months and issuing it now soon after the Assembly elections got over?” questioned Naik. 

He further said that the PWD failed to show any order to hold the bills for last six months. 

When contacted, former PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar said that very soon revised bills will be issued. 

“Earlier due to some technical fault some water bills were issued charging Rs 15 per unit and Rs 25 per unit instead of Rs 3.50 per unit and same has now been rectified and new bills will be issued to consumers very soon.” 

Curchorem Congress candidate Amit Patkar demanded that the government should give immediate relief to the consumers by rectifying their bills.