In the latest water bill issued by the PWD, the domestic consumers are charged "Inspection Charges" of Rs 100. It doesn't say inspection of what. No technician of the department has visited the consumers to inspect the water meter or the connection. The only person who visits periodically is the meter reader who notes down the current reading. This is a charge for service not rendered and as such it is not only unjustified but a disservice to the people.
Further, according to the latest tariff chart the inspection charges will be levied once a year. It means it has come to stay, and the rate, most certainly, will be increased every year. The department owes an explanation to the people why it is charging them for a service it is not rendering.
The government has decided to give free water upto 16K litres to the people. On the other hand it charges them for a service it doesn't provide. So all that this free water scheme means- giving with one hand and taking away with the other?
