The city Water Board is set to single out big defaulters. Armed with powers to attach immobile and movable properties, the Water Board will first zero in on consumers yet to be paid more than Rs 50,000.
There are over 9,300 big defaulters who owe Rs 50,000-Rs 1 crore to the Board. These are majority consumers, whose connections have been severed for non-payment.
For this, a special team was formed by the Water Board that will specifically deal with the big defaulters. There are more than 70 defaulters who are indebted the board over Rs 1 crore.
Even though the Water Board has a separate “vigilance team” headed by a former Army officer, it has been not capable to cover the entire city and peripheral municipal circles.
“We have roped in ex-servicemen who will be formed into three teams and will be trained in dealing with specific defaulters. Ex-servicemen who worked in the Military Engineering Service (MES) and have field work experience are given preference,” said Satyanarayana, director (revenue), Water Board. The cash strapped Water Board hopes to conclude the drive in the next four months.
“Red notices” have been served to more than 2.72 lakh of the 3.27 lakh identified defaulters. Up to now, less than 10,000 defaulters have come forward to clear their dues after Water Board officials threatened to register cases and grab hold of their assets.