JAMMU, FEB 16: As the deadline of March 31 for payment of water bills approaches, the Jal Shakti Department (PHE Department) has sent out reminders urging consumers to clear their dues and avoid any inconvenience.
While the department has become more proactive in reaching out to consumers for bill payments in the last couple of years, it had long been lackadaisical in generating and distributing water bills under ease of doing business principles.
The installation of water meters on domestic and commercial connections, mandated under the Water Resources Regulation Act 2010, has also seen delays even though it was approved in 2012 during the National Conference (NC) – Congress regime. Sources say the government’s slow progress on this front has been due to political compulsions, as the move faced opposition from various groups.
A Jal Shakti Department official acknowledged that while providing drinking water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission remained the priority, urgent reforms were also needed to curb non-revenue water losses. “Installing water meters is still in the pipeline and we will soon take it up to facilitate business. It will also enable consumers to use water judiciously and monitor daily usage,” the official added.
Regarding timely bill payment, the official admitted past delays by the department but said arrangements were now in place for consumers to clear dues in easy monthly installments, without burden. The J&K Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act emphasises metering all water connections like power connections, to ensure judicious use and revenue generation as per consumption. But the plan has been stalled due to opposition, even as the March 31 deadline draws near.
