THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Electricity Board has sent a letter to the Water Authority, demanding Rs 34 crores to clear outstanding electricity bills. The finance department has granted a three-day order, allowing the water authority to establish a special account.

KSEB has requested details of all bank accounts, including the Jal Authority's drinking water bill deposit account and central share deposit account. Additionally, they seek six months' worth of bank transaction records. A specific date for signing the agreement to transfer the amount should be set and communicated.

However, the water authority has not yet decided on opening a separate account. A decision will be made after a high-level discussion involving the MD and Secretary. Drinking water charges are the sole source of income for the water authority, covering salaries and pensions. If Rs 34 crores are deducted per month, salary payments would cease. A monthly requirement of Rs 32.5 crores is essential for the salaries of 8,500 permanent employees, with Rs 26 crores allocated for non-plan expenses, currently utilized for salary payments.

The water authority owes Rs 355 crores to KSEB for drinking water charges, and despite previous arrears of Rs 1,500 crores, the government's intervention has reduced the outstanding amount. Meanwhile, Assembly figures indicate that KSEB owes only Rs 3.58 crores in drinking water charges.