Water tax: RCs against big defaulters likely

Fed up with the recalcitrant attitude of big defaulters of water tax the Jal Sansthan is intending to issue recovery certificates (RCs) against them in the near future.

Fed up with the recalcitrant attitude of big defaulters of water tax the Jal Sansthan is intending to issue recovery certificates (RCs) against them in the near future.

HT Image

According to sources close to Jal Sansthan the big defaulters, including various departments of State Government, owe about Rs 4.50 crore as water tax. The State Government's departments owe about Rs 32 lakh of which the highest amount (Rs 5.64 lakh) is due from TB Sapru (Beli) Hospital followed by District Education and Training Institute (Rs 4.59 lakh).

It is common refrain that the ordinary citizens are made to pay a higher water tax every year through the nose for low amount of water while the big sharks and government departments enjoy the facility without paying for it although they consume heavy amount of water.

The water tax is raised by 7.50 per cent every year by the Jal Sansthan without giving any reason for the consecutive rise although it is unable to supply sufficient quantity of water to the citizens. Those living on higher level are the worst sufferers as they get a meagre amount of water but no rebate in tax for this deficiency on the part of Jal Sansthan.

On being contacted the secretary Jal Sansthan PK Gupta said that whenever the complaint is received for poor water supply the staff is sent to rectify the fault.

About the government departments defaulting in water tax payment Gupta said that notices have been sent to them several times but they always take the pretext of unavailability of funds.

Now the Jal Sansthan is preparing to approach the authorities concerned for the issuance of the recovery certificates.