HMWSSB receives Rs 75 crore reimbursement for 20-KL free water programme

The MA&UD Department has released Rs 75 crore to HMWSSB as reimbursement for implementing the 20-kilolitre free water supply scheme in GHMC limits. More than 6.5 lakh consumers benefit from the programme, which continues to be supported through government budgetary allocations.

Hyderabad: The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) released Rs 75 crore as reimbursement to HMWSSB for implementing the 20-KL free water supply scheme within the GHMC limits.

The 20-kilolitre free water supply scheme was originally launched by the previous BRS government in January 2021 for the benefit of domestic consumers within GHMC limits. According to HMWSSB records, over 6.5 lakh consumers registered with the Aadhaar-linked facility availed the scheme.

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The HMWSSB has been losing nearly Rs 350 crore due to implementation of the scheme, and since its launch, a budgetary provision was made to compensate the amount by the MA&UD.

As part of this provision, on Monday, the MA&UD gave administrative sanction to release Rs 75 crore to the HMWSSB, according to a senior HMWSSB official who is handling the 20-KL Free water scheme.

Free water scheme-at a glance:

* Up to 20 KL of free water per month for eligible domestic households

* A functional water meter is mandatory for all individual domestic, residential complex (MSB), and bulk connections to accurately record consumption

* All consumers must link their number to their Consumer Account Number (CAN) to qualify for the scheme

* Consumers using up to 20 KL per month receive a ‘zero water bill’

* Households in designated slum areas are exempt from the requirement to install individual water meters