Tank owners decide to stop water supply over non-payment of bills

As the bills are not paid, water tank owners have decided to stop the supply of water to the villages in Koratikere Panchayat limits.

Since the groundwater levels receded in the villages, steps were taken to supply water through tanks. Five tankers of water were supplied to Somenahalli, Koratikere, Nagavangala and Hosuru villages daily. A tender was availed by Bhoomika and Anjaneya constructions on March 21 in this regard. The tender availers had given the work to sub-contractors. But even after April 15, the bills have not been paid by the district administration, which has disappointed the tanker owners and they have decided to discontinue the water supply.

‘Not paid’

Tanker owner Kumar said that the water was supplied to the villages since March 21, at the expense of the tanker owners. “The expenditure included drivers’ salary and fuel. But the amount has not been paid even after 25 days,” he said.

Gangajji from Koratikere said that she will be forced to fetch water from distant areas as the water supply will be stopped.

The bill, along with the documents, needed to be sent to the Zilla panchayat by the village panchayat, after getting the signatures of RFO, taluk panchayat executive officer and assistant executive engineers. But when contacted, the office staff said that the bill has already been sent. However, the bill amount has not been released so far.

‘A headache’

Tanker owners Maheshwarappa and Devraju also said that it has become a headache to wander from pillar to post in the government office for the amount they are entitled to.

Koratikere panchayat member Dharanesh said that a bill amount of around Rs 20 lakh is pending for payment in the Kudlur Panchayat limits, for the water supplied between July and December.

The officials are only giving assurances. Water tank owners staged protests, claiming their bills in the past.

Taluk Panchayat executive officer Gangadhar Murthy said that the district administration has reserved an amount of Rs 40 lakh towards drinking water supply and Rs 20 lakh will be paid to the tank owners in Kudlur.