All those who have unauthorised water connections will now have to pay penalty on pro-rata basis.
Along with the increase in pro-rata charges (one-time service charge to provide new drinking water and sanitary connections) from 60 per cent to 100 per cent on Wednesday, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has been empowered to penalise unauthorised connections.
“Whoever obtains unauthorised water supply and sanitary connections or both by any means from the water supply pipelines of the Board or sanitary connection to the sewerage system of the Board in contravention of the provisions of the Act and regulations made there under is liable to pay up to 50 per cent of the pro rata charges, payable as penalty,” the gazette notification points out.
The period of taking unauthorised connection is determined on the basis of sanction of electricity to the building or any other documents evidencing the occupation of the building, the report states.
Although the Board issued several notices to regularise illegal water connections, there was poor response, an BWSSB official said. The Board wrote to the government to approve hefty penalty on illegal connection holders, he added.
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