The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain
Amarinder Singh on Monday approved One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for
regularisation of unauthorised connections and recovery of arrears on account
of water supply and sewerage charges.
The move is expected to lead to regularization of
approximately 93000 connections, which would lead to increase in revenue of
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s
Office, under the domestic category, Rs.200 per connection (Rs.100 each for
water supply and sewerage) would be charged as one-time fee for regularization
of water supply and sewerage connection for plot measuring up to 125 sq. yd,
Rs.500 per connection (Rs.250 each for water supply and sewerage) would be
charged for plot size between 125 to 250 sq. yd. and Rs. 1000 per connection
(Rs.500 each for water supply and sewerage) for over 250 sq. yd. plot.
In the Commercial/Institutional category, Rs. 1000 per
connection (Rs.500 each for water supply and sewerage) would be charged for
plot measuring upto 250 sq. yd. and Rs.2000 per connection (Rs.1000 each for
water supply and sewerage) for plot above 25 sq. yd.
No penalty would be charged if said fee is deposited within three months
from the date of notification. For users who do not get their connection
regularized in this period, 100% penalty would be charged on the above fee
while regularizing their connection. Users who do not get their connection
regularized within six months from the date of notification will face
disconnection, and applicable penalty and interest would be charged on pending
user charges.
After the deposit of the fee, no other charges, like road
cutting, connection fees and security, will be chargeable. Upon the
satisfaction of technical official of the Urban Local Bodies regarding quality
of pipe, size of connection and alignment of water supply line (not below or
adjoining sewer line), the connection will be regularised.
No interest and penalty on arrears of water supply and
sewerage charges/tax/fees would be charged if the principal amount payable on
the date of notification is paid within a period of three months from the date
of issue of notification. Also, no penalty would be charged if the principal
amount of arrears and interest payment is paid after 3 months but within 6
months from the date of issue of this notification.
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The failure to deposit arrears within 6 months from the date of issue of this notification will attract both applicable interest and penalty, in addition to disconnection by the Municipal Bodies. It is clarified that arrears mean only the principal amount of water supply and sewerage charges.