PMC to levy penalty on late/unpaid water bill payments. Click to know more details
Pune: PMC Calls For Meeting After High Court Flags City’s Water Crisis
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to impose a one per cent penalty on defaulters each month after January 31, 2024, in an effort to force them to pay their outstanding water bills, which totals ₹300 crore.
The cumulative water bills were initially ₹250 crore, but because of instances of double billing and inaccurate water meter readings, the arrears increased. In commercial complexes, industrial establishments, schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants, and the cantonments of Pune and Khadki, the PMC has installed 39,000 water meters since 2001. But since 2001, these businesses have neglected to pay their water bills and the local government has taken no enforcement action against them.
Water supply department officials estimate that the outstanding amount due to most establishments not paying their water bills since 2001 is approximately ₹650 crore. It was challenging to collect debts from the Gram Panchayat after the state decided to include the 23 fringe villages in the PMC limit in 2021 because they were now a part of the PMC. Thus, the PMC can collect the outstanding amount from businesses, commercial establishments, hotels, and restaurants, with an estimated total of ₹300 crore. The administration has chosen to impose a one percent monthly penalty on defaulters after January 31, 2024, in an effort to expedite the recovery process. It is anticipated that the disciplinary action will encourage residents to pay their debts in full and help to lower the total amount owed.
A senior PMC official said that a grace period of sixty days has been granted for citizens to settle their arrears, with the deadline set for January 31, 2024. Punitive action will be taken beginning April 1, 2024, for non-compliance with the payment deadline. For amounts not paid on time, they will charge a monthly penalty of one percent. Water bills that are overdue total approximately ₹300 crore.
Customers are advised by the PMC to pick up their water bills from the offices of the water supply department (Swargate, SNDT, Chatushrungi). The civic organization has emphasized that in order to avoid further fines or legal action, payments must be made by March 31, 2024. Water bill complaints can be filed in the interim by calling 1800 1030 222, a toll-free number.
