Plug water leakage or cough up fine

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh,  June  25 

A leakage in the water  line  between  the ferrule and the water meter  will invite a huge  penalty  as the  UT Administration has  given   its  nod to the   water bylaws amendment  rules, 2019. Under the  new rules, on observing any such leakage, a notice  will be served on the consumer asking  him to get it plugged within two days.

In case of non-compliance, an amount  of up to  Rs 6,000 will  be charged from the  consumer. All service stations  have been given  one  more  opportunity to install a shallow tubewell   within three  months  of the issue of the  notification. In case  they fail to  do so, a one-time fine of Rs 2 lakh will be imposed on those using potable water and thereafter, Rs 5,000  per day will be charged  till the  approval  for the  installation of a shallow tubewell in their  premises.

The charges for releasing new sewerage connections have also been  increased. Residents will have to pay Rs 1,000 for flats having a covered area of up to 500 sq ft. Those having a covered area above 500 sq ft and up to 1,000 sq ft will be charged Rs 2,000 and those having a covered area above 1,000 sq ft will be charged Rs 4,000.

An amount of Rs 2,000 will be charged for houses up to 10 marla, Rs 4,000 for plot sizes above 10 marla and up to 1 kanal, Rs 6,000 for above 1 kanal and Rs 20,000 each for hotels and institutions. If a consumer is found using a booster,  he will be charged a fine up to Rs 5,000  and the motor  will  be confiscated. For the  second offence, a fine  of Rs 10,000 will be  imposed.