HMWSSB receiving lukewarm response for free drinking water scheme

Hyderabad: With the crossing of deadline to avail the free drinking water facility of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), a mere 2.72 lakh consumers have availed the scheme out of the total 9.84 lakh in the city.

The water board had claimed a total 4.94 lakh residents would register for the 20kl free drinking water scheme.

As per government guidelines, all domestic-slum, domestic-individual, domestic-multi-storied building (MSB)/bulk connections are eligible for the 20kl free water supply once they link their customer account numbers (CAN) with Aadhaar as per GO-211 dated December 2, 2020.

The government had issued orders extending the last date till Dec.31 for submitting applications for free supply. The scheme was launched in January this year and those interested in making use of it should have a functioning meter and link the customer account number with Aadhaar to get 20,000 liters water free every month.

Those living in slums should ensure CAN is linked to Aadhaar even without having a meter. Those who are not yet part of the scheme will be given an opportunity to make payment of arrears in four installments without any penalty. However, past arrears need to be cleared first.

The board stopped issuing water bills from Dec 2020 to August 2021 and extended the enrollment to December 2021.

As per the board’s records, 4,90,186 out of the 9,84,023 Consumer Account Numbers (CANs) have been enrolled and the remaining are likely to be enrolled by the end of this month. The expected enrollment for this month is 60,000.  However, to the shock of the board officials, less than 10,000 consumers got registered; and just three days are left for others to do so.

During the first cut-off date, April 30, as many as 2.20 lakh consumers have availed the free drinking water scheme. Citing the lukewarm response, the government reintroduced the scheme in August and kept extending it until December 31. However, in eight months, a mere 52,000 consumers have registered for the scheme.

Even the tenant Aadhaar seeding has not helped the water board to increase the numbers. As on date, as many as 4.94 lakh consumers have to register for the 20 KL free drinking water scheme.

A senior water board official said the cumbersome online process has been keeping consumers away from registration. The office has been receiving numerous complaints pertaining to Aadhaar-CAN linkage. The official advised consumers to call 155313 for guidance.

As per the scheme, all domestic consumers are eligible for a rebate of up to 20,000 litres per house in their monthly water bills, provided they fulfilled the conditions given by the state government. Domestic slum consumers can enroll for the scheme by linking their Aadhaar numbers with CAN numbers. Once they do this, they are exempt from having a water meter. For other domestic consumers, they have to link their Aadhaar and have a working meter.