MCC initiates steps to regularise illegal water connections

List of 36,544 default consumers prepared, recovery in progress

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is taking steps to regularise illegal water connections, initiate action against bypassing of water meters and also to recover arrears from water consumers.

Addressing a media conference, here on Monday, Mayor B L Bhyrappa said that besides mopping up revenues for the MCC, the steps will enable to streamline the system and check wastage of the precious natural resource.

“There are an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 illegal water connections under the MCC limits. If they are regularised, with meters, the MCC will get an additional Rs 2 crore revenue per month, going by the current standards,” he said.

“In some parts of the city, where people of some particular communities are concentrated, the consumers have legal connections, but they have cut the water pipes before the meters and have attached rubber pipes for usage. So, they do not get water in the taps. Hence, there is no regulation of water. After using the water through the rubber pipes, they let the water into drainages, thus causing a lot of wastage. There are around 70,000 such connections. Steps are afoot to plug such bypassing. Once it is done, the MCC can expect an additional Rs 2 crore revenue per month. As the officials fear entering such areas, they have been directed to take police protection,” Bhyrappa said.

Speaking about collection of revenue, he expressed hope that the situation would improve in the future. “Last month, the revenue from water to the MCC was Rs 3.5 crore, but, this month, it has increased to Rs 4.07 crore due to the efforts of the officials concerned. From 1,30,721 metered connections, the MCC is yet to recover Rs 133.81 crore arrears. A list of those who owe the local body above Rs 5,000 towards the water bill comprising 36,544 consumers, has been prepared and recovery is under progress on priority,” he said.

Announcing a deadline of 15 days for the settlement of arrears and current bills, the mayor said that the consumers should approach the authorities concerned and make arrangements to pay the arrears. “They can even divide the arrears into 50 instalments and pay promptly. But, they should start paying the current bills before the last date every month,” he said.

Following complaints from people that they have been cheated by the MCC staffers, Bhyrappa said that the MCC was not responsible for the money given to MCC staffers by hand. He warned against people giving money to MCC staffers for payment of either deposit or bill of any type and urged the people to make payments only at dedicated counters and banks and, get receipts immediately.Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna was present.