With hundreds of cases of disputes over water bills remaining unresolved at divisional levels for the past several years, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) managing director J Syamala Rao recently delegated necessary powers to officials at the divisional level to enable them to settle such billing disputes at the earliest.
‘’It has been observed that due to the time limit of six months, many disputes remained unresolved at division level.
Further, most of the billing disputes pertain to the period prior to April 2009 (old software) which are being submitted to the Water Board by the divisional officers for redressal,’’ HMWS&SB officials told Express.
Therefore, it is now proposed to enhance the limits of financial powers of the division and circle level officers for speedy disposal of the billing disputes. This will facilitate the consumers to pay the outstanding arrears and thus improve the board’s revenues.
Following modification were made in respect of financial powers based on the field realities for settling billing disputes.
The General Managers (E) will be permitted to rectify up to Rs 7,500 only in case where the billing period is less than three years.
Earlier, it was Rs 5,000. Beyond three years, such cases have to be approved by the Billing Disputes Committee.
The CGMs (E) will be empowered to rectify between Rs 7,500 and Rs 20,000 only in cases where the billing period is less than three years. Previously, it was between 5,000 and Rs 15,000 and not beyond two years.
The executive director, director (Revenue) and director (OP) will be permitted to rectify the disputes between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 only in cases where the billing period is less than three years. Earlier, it was Rs15,000 to Rs 50,000 only.
The managing director will settle up to Rs 1 lakh only in case where the billing period is less than three years. Previously it was Rs 50,000.
In all the above cases, disputes involving Rs 1 lakh and more than three-year period will have to be settled by the Billing Dispute Committee only. For raising debit notes in case of underbilling due to category change, pipe size there is no financial limit at the GM (E) level. For change of category from commercial, Industrial, MSBs to domestic up to 3/4 inch CGM (E) level concerned and 1 inch and above will be referred to Billing Dispute Committee.
When it comes to peripheral areas, powers have been delegated to the officials at different levels. The general manager (Engg) concerned may correct the balance up to Rs 15,000 (credit/debit adjustments).
Beyond Rs 15,000, CGM (Engg.) concerned will make credit or debit adjustments on support of document, proofs and certification and authorisation from the concerned Deputy Commissioners of GHMC concerned.
The GM (Engg) concerned will be allowed to make appropriate category changes on support of document, sanction papers, proofs issued by the GHMC other than Industrial and MSBs. The CGM (Engg) concerned will be empowered to make changes relating to the industrial connections and MSBs.