Forget 16000 litres of free water; people complain of exorbitant bills.
People demanded to withdraw the new tariff hike and correction in water bills and demanded the government issue monthly water bills.
Goemkarponn desk
PONDA: Three months ago, the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, had promised 16000 litres of free water for Goans from September.
Goemkarponn had exposed then how the Govt was fleecing the consumers with free water carrot when the rates were hiked.
Forget free water; the average household water bill of just Rs 200 to Rs 300 per month is now crossing a minimum of Rs 2500 per month. Shocking?
Today in Ponda, locals barged into PWD offices claiming that they received exorbitant water bills to the tune of Rs 5000 to 6000 (for 72 days i.e two and half months). The Ponda Locals today protested at PWD Daag Ponda Office.
“The hefty bills during Covid pandemic times have brought tears in our eyes,” they said.
Ponda locals demand to withdraw the new tariff hike as well correction in water bills.
The locals demanded to withdraw the tariff hike implemented by the government from 1 September 2021.
As the Assistant Engineer was at a meeting at Panaji, they discussed the issue with JE Gaunekar.
The citizens also demanded Chief Minister Pramod Sawant look into the matter.
Upon inquiries, the PWD staff pointed out the revised tariff implemented from 1 September 2021 and accordingly, bills are issued.
However, the officials said in the case of flats in society, there is a need to divide the total consumption of units for every individual flat owner, which will reduce their monthly bill.
The revised tariff displayed on the PWD notice board also mentions the free water scheme where individual domestic consumers consuming water up to 16 units per month will be exempted from payment of water charges, including meter rent, with effect from 1 September 2021.
MGP leader Ketan Bhatikar who led the locals, said earlier a single flat owner with society-building comprising of eight to ten flats used to get a monthly bill to the tune of Rs 700 to 800 per month, but now a single flat owner received a bill to the tune of Rs 5000 to 6000 for a period of two and half month.
“Some customers who used to get a monthly bill of Rs 200 to 300 now received a bill of Rs 800 to Rs 900 which they cannot afford,” Bhatikar says.
He said Covid pandemic hit all the people, including Aam Admi and business, and therefore there should be proper billing.
He cited one motorcycle pilot Riyaz got a bill of Rs 6000, which he did not earn that much amount in a month.
Dr. Ketan Bhatikar said the government should sort out the issue and demanded that the government issue monthly bills so that no complications do not arise.
He said not tariff on water bills but also rise in fuel rates, prices of commodities should be reduced, so that common man gets relief.
