Unpaid bills: Water supply to five govt establishements cut

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 14

The Jal Shakti Department has disconnected water connections of five government establishments in the Chowari subdivision for failing to clear outstanding bills. Even as notices to make payment were issued 10 days ago, the departments did not pay up, prompting the authorities to take action. The Forest, Revenue, Animal Husbandry Departments, Government Degree College, Chowari; and the local Municipal Council collectively owe over Rs 16.88 lakh to the Jal Shakti Department.

The non-payment of the dues has also hit the revenue of the Jal Shakti Department. Besides the government offices, the department has identified 165 private consumers with pending bills. Of these, 12 have already settled their dues, while 153 are yet to make payments.

Sources said the government establishments in the Chowari subdivision had not been paying their bills for a long time. Initially, the Jal Shakti Department made verbal requests for clearing the dues. The notices giving a 10-day grace period were issued these departments when the verbal requests had no effect.

JSD Assistant Engineer Devendra Rana said, “Water supply to other departments will also be cut if these fail to clear the dues. A list of defaulting consumers is also being prepared.”