Water Authority struggling: 1908 crores to be received; 1463 crores to be paid

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Water Authority is reeling under the burden of Rs 3,371 crore to be collected and paid. It is facing difficulties in meeting its employees' salaries and daily expenses.

Water Authority MD Jeevan Babu has written to the government several times demanding the release of Rs 1,386.58 crore, including Rs 719.17 crore allocated as arrears for public taps and Rs 667.41 crore to be paid as non-plan grant for three years under the budget allocation, but no action has been taken.

The arrears due to the Water Authority, including government, public sector undertakings and large consumers, are Rs 1908.33 crore. The authority has to pay Rs 1463 crore, including electricity charges and contributions to the employees' provident fund. Officials also point out that out of the Rs 1067.72 crore allocated as budget allocation for non-plan grants in the last three years, only Rs 400.31 crore has been made available.

719 crores allocated but taken back

The government had issued an order allocating Rs 719.17 crore from the Finance Commission Grant as a solution to the dispute between the local government department and the water authority over the arrears of public taps. This amount was available in the treasury savings bank account of the water authority on March 29, but the government withdrew it on the 31st as per the reception order. In the letters sent to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, MD Jeevan Babu has requested that this amount be allocated immediately.

Arrears and Revenue

(Amount in crores)

 Government and Public Sector Undertakings................................. 125.18

 Large Consumers....................................................................................5.17

 Public Tap Arrears.............................................................................. 719.17

 Other Consumers..............................................................................1058.81

 Expected Revenue per Year........................................................... 2154

 Received in 2023-24....................................................................... 1249.11

 Annual Expenditure...........................................................................1908

 Salaries and Pensions........................................................................900