Last Day of Extended OTS on Aug 10; Pay Today or face Stern Action

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After One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS), now NMC plans stern legal action against defaulters

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Nagpur:
It’s Today or Never… The extended One Time Settlement (OTS) of Nagpur Municipal Corporation will come to an end on 10th August 2016. NMC has appealed citizens to take the maximum advantage of the last day of scheme which is launched only in the interest of the consumers or else from Aug 11 (Thursday) it has planned to initiate stern action against the defaulters who fail to pay off their due even after so many chances.

It must be noted here that, as per the NMC’s Water Rate By-Law, NMC can disconnect the water connection of the defaulter. If the defaulter still does not pay his dues off, a warrant action seizing his property can be issued and executed subsequently.

It is worth mentioning that NMC has given many opportunities to the water bill defaulters. First, the One Time Settlement Scheme was launched wherein taking into consideration the huge arrears and the troubles of the Water Bill arrear holders, NMC had offered a concession that arrear-holders could have got rid of the arrears by paying 50% of the actual arrear amount. This scheme was conducted between 16th June and 30th June.

During this period almost 18055 consumers paid arrears worth Rs 9. 67 crore to NMC. They have also assured in a declaration form submitted, to pay regular bills in future to NMC-OCW.

Later on the request of various social, consumer organisations as well as willing consumers who could not avail the benefits, an extended period was granted from 1st to 10th August 2016. NMC Water Supply Committee Chairman Sandip Joshi conducted a hearing in this regard.

Meanwhile, after the respite of OTS, Nagpur Municipal Corporation started a massive disconnection drive against OTS defaulters, where in connections of almost 888 defaulters with arrears Rs 4.06 crore were disconnected from all 10 zones
However, despite that the defaulters have not responded in an appreciable quantum so far to extend OTS. 10th August 2016 being the last day of the respite, NMC has appealed again to the defaulters to pay off the dues and avoid legal action.

In last 9 days of extended OTS, 1311 consumers paid Rs 78. 18 lakh it means in entire OTS So far, 19720 consumers have paid Rs.11.90Crores.

It must be noted that, as per the NMC’s Water Rate By-Law, NMC can disconnect the water connection of the defaulter. If the defaulter still does not pay his dues off, a warrant action seizing his property can be issued and executed subsequently.

The scheme is applicable to consumers belonging to Residential and Slum categories and who are having arrear amount more than Rs.2000.

It was conveyed from time to time that if the eligible consumers do not avail the benefit of this scheme, no queries, applications or appeals regarding these arrears will be entertained afterwards.

It must be mentioned here, that commercial consumers and the cases which are sub-judice are not be eligible for this scheme.
To know the individual’s Amnesty Amount, consumers can log on to www.ocwindia.com enter their Consumer Index Number (CIN) or Contract Account Number (CAN) mentioned on the water bill.

The Amnesty (revised) Amounts under the scheme can be paid in all the NMC Zonal Offices where regular water bill payment is accepted. It must be noted that the Online Payment Facility will NOT be available for the Amnesty Scheme consumers.