OTS for water consumers

PANJIM, JULY 10
The State government has introduced One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for water consumers who have defaulted in paying water charges, having accumulated arrears up to Rs 20,000 as on December 31, 2008.
The scheme has been notified by the Public Works Department saying it is an attempt to have a speedy recovery of outstanding dues. The scheme is valid upto September 31, 2009.
According to Principal Chief Engineer A M Wachasunder, the domestic and construction consumer have to pay the actual water supply charges billed to the consumer including meter rent and 25% of total delay payment charges (D.P.C.) accumulated upto 20,000 payable by defaulters up to dated 31-12-2008 maximum in two equal installments.
The OTS is applicable to the two categories of  consumer whose installation are temporarily/permanently disconnected as on December 31, 2008 for non payment of outstanding arrears.
The OTS is also applicable to defaulting consumers, whose cases are referred to the Revenue Recovery Court (RRC) as on December 31, 2008.
How to apply: The beneficiaries under this scheme should apply in writing to the concerned sub divisional officer for availing the incentive in the prescribed format alongwith Rs. 100- by way of demand draft /pay order drawn in favour of the executive engineer concerned.
The amount of Rs. 100 deposited by the consumer along with the application will be adjusted against the water bill to be settled with the scheme.
The amount of Rs 100 deposited by the consumer will not be refunded to the consumer if he backs out from the scheme or does not pay the arrears amount within the specified period. The said amount will be forfeited into the government treasury, the notification said.
The defaulting consumers shall produce their latest bill to the respective water supply Sub Division and get it corrected for deduction in terms of the provision of this notification and accordingly effect the payment thereof, it further said.
Some months ago, the government had floated OTS scheme for power consumers.