CSMC ordered to pay ₹64 crore or face water cut by March 16!

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The financially unstable Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) received a shock when the Department of Irrigation (DoI) issued a notice to the municipal corporation demanding a one-time payment of Rs 64.97 crore by March 15 or else face cut in water supply from March 16.

With the end-of-March deadline approaching, the DoI has stepped up collection of water charges for irrigation and non-irrigation supplies. The executive engineer of the Jayakwadi Project (Paithan), which supplies water to the city, has issued a notice, recently.

Water for the city is supplied through the Jayakwadi Project. The DoI issues monthly water bills to the civic administration. However, the department stated that these bills have not been paid on time. Consequently, the municipal corporation now owes a total of ₹64.97 crore. The written notice directs the corporation to clear the dues by March 15; otherwise, the water supply will be disrupted. The notice also warns that the Water Resources Department (WRD) will not be responsible for any inconvenience caused to residents.

Jalna Municipal Corporation owes Rs 13 crore

Jalna city also receives water via pipelines from the Jayakwadi Project. The DoI has issued a bill of Rs 13.60 crore, including pending dues, to the Jalna Municipal Corporation.

Details of outstanding water charges

Paithan Municipal Council: Rs 1.21 crore

Gangapur Municipal Council: Rs 61.22 lakh

Sant Eknath Sugar Factory: Rs 1.33 crore

Gevrai Municipal Council: Rs 19.93 crore

Jalna Municipal Corporation: Rs 13.60 crore