HYDERABAD: Heated arguments between customers and officials was the order of the day on Monday at the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) divisional offices that held Prajavani programme to address water related grievances of customers. Though board officials claim Prajavani to be a successful programme that solves customers’ problems on-the-spot, situation at various divisional offices indicated otherwise. About a 100 customers were present during the Prajavani but most returned empty-handed alleging lack of response from officials. Mohammed Shareef (22), a resident of SR Nagar said, “I was issued a bill with an excess amount of Rs 13,798. When I asked about it, officials threatened to impose a fine or file a police case against me if I failed to pay it.” Similarly, A Sivanand, a resident of Borabanda said he received a bill of over Rs 19,000 though he did not use the water connection much. “Though I obtained the connection in 2000, water supply started only in 2010. But I still received a bill of Rs 19, 049. I met officials but they only reduced the bill by Rs 3,033,” he said. On an average, a customer pays about Rs1,500 towards water bill per six months but for Sivanand the bill was abnormally high. Ch Krishna, a resident of Balkampet had come to get his name changed, which had been misprinted on the bill. He too was reportedly disappointed by lack of response.Another customer, M Yadagiri from IDPL said he had lodged complaints twice at Prajavani. He was allegedly forced to pay an excess amount as the meter at his house had been giving wrong readings. “The mistake can be rectified in a short time. I had complained several times at Prajavani programme held at IDPL and Khairatabad office but to no avail,” he said. Prajavani is held on all Mondays from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.
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