Prathiban DC
Bangalore: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has reported a strong response to its one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for clearing pending water bills. On Sunday, the board announced that it had already collected 12.1 crore from the first set of 56,765 notices sent to consumers. This early result shows that many people are willing to pay their dues when they are given a clear and simple way to do so.
The OTS scheme started on April 6 and will remain open for three months. It is designed to help consumers settle their outstanding water bills by paying only the main amount, while receiving relief on the interest charges. BWSSB officials believe this approach is encouraging more people to come forward and clear their dues without feeling burdened.
After reviewing old records, BWSSB identified more than 2.8 lakh consumers who are eligible for the scheme, out of a total of over 3.7 lakh cases. So far, the board has printed and sent more than 2.1 lakh customized notices to different sub-divisions across Bengaluru. These notices contain details of the pending amount and instructions on how to take advantage of the scheme.
To manage such a large number of notices, BWSSB has outsourced the printing work to an external agency. This agency is currently producing around 50,000 notices every two days. The board expects all remaining notices to be delivered by May 10, ensuring that every eligible consumer gets a chance to benefit from the scheme within the given time frame.
The main goal of BWSSB is to recover over 471.5 crore in unpaid principal amounts. At the same time, it is offering a waiver of about 252.3 crore in interest charges. This move not only helps the board recover a large amount of money but also provides financial relief to consumers who may have struggled to pay their bills due to accumulated interest over time.
BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar said the response so far shows that people trust systems that are transparent and easy to use. According to him, when consumers feel respected and are given fair options, they are more likely to cooperate. He encouraged all eligible citizens to make use of this opportunity and settle their dues within the scheme period.
Overall, the OTS scheme is expected to benefit both the public and the board. Consumers can clear their pending bills without heavy interest, while BWSSB can strengthen its financial position. This improved revenue will also help the board provide better water supply and sewerage services across Bengaluru in the future.
