Mysuru: Of the 1,80,000 water connections in the Heritage City, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has to collect pending bills to the tune of Rs. 220 Crore.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday July 12 Mayor Sunanda Palanetra said that the issue has been brought to the notice of the State Government for further action. She said we have had detailed discussions in this regard. The emphasis is on collecting the pending bills and filling the coffers. In case where people are ready to pay the pending bill in one shot, the interest will be waived. This will be in force for the next six months. MCC staff will also be visiting houses to collect the pending bills.
She further said that the Corporation has developed a ‘Revenue Management Software’ for water bill payment for consumers, and when the staff comes to issue the bill, they can pay the bill on the spot through Google, Phone Pay or UPI to facilitate consumers.
She said the general meeting of MCC held on April 29, has decided to waive off the interest of Rs. 74 Crore while paying the principal amount of Rs. 146 Crore water bills and the proposal has been submitted to the Government. She said that the ‘interest waiver scheme will be only for domestic consumers. She said under the scheme interest will not be levied from July 15 to the next 6 months and waving of previous interest.
MCC Commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy said that this decision has been taken to increase revenue collection and consumers will also benefit from the scheme. If the principal amount is not paid at once, the interest will not stop, he said.
As many as 24,000 people have taken water connections illegally. After MCC disconnected illegal water connections 2,500 new connections applications are being received every month. He said that 34,000 new metres have been installed so far. If the meter does not work, it should be replaced. Otherwise, the bill will double every three months. Water charges will keep doubling. He said that rules have been made for the installation of tamper-proof metres, and customers should buy those meters.
Mayor Sundanda said that it has been decided to give Rs. 50 lakh from the Mayor’s grant for the works of all 65 wards under the corporation. Mayor Sunanda Phalanetra said that the members of the corporation should use the money for necessary work.
A Mayoral election will be held after the announcement of the reservation. She said that the High Court will decide regarding the reconstruction of the Devaraja Market. Action will be taken as per the decision.
