THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been alleged that Akshaya Centers are charging service charges ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 350 for online services of the Water Authority. Following this, Water Authority MD S Venkatesapathy has written to the Akshaya director requesting that Akshaya's service charges be unified and displayed.

The MD says that the Water Authority has received more than 100 complaints in this regard. An incentive of Rs 1 to Rs 100 is given to those who pay the bill through the online system of the Water Authority. Venkatesapathy pointed out in the letter that there is a complaint that Akshaya Centers are charging this amount along with the bill. The MD also asked that Water Authority's emblem should not be used in receipts for service charges in Akshaya Centres.

Recently an Akshaya centre charged a service charge of Rs 100 for meter replacement. It must be noted that the water authority charges Rs 10 for this.