Several consumers in Handwara have alleged discrepancies in water tariff bills issued by the Jal Shakti Department, saying that despite having cleared their previous dues, the latest bills continue to show outstanding arrears, much to their disappointment.
The consumers said the errors have created confusion and compelled many people to visit Jal Shakti Department Division Handwara to seek clarification but nothing is being done to rectify the errors.
“I was shocked to see the outstanding arrears when I have already paid the bill last year. The most astonishing thing is that almost 5 months have passed when we were handed over the bills but nothing has been done so far to rectify the error. I along with other consumers have been visiting the office of Jal Shakti Department Division Handwara for the last five months but to no avail,” Feroz Ahmad Banday from Banday Mohalla told Greater Kashmir.
“We have receipts of the bills already paid but the new bills again show outstanding arrears. This is unfair and needs immediate correction,” he added. “The issue has caused unnecessary inconvenience to the public. The department should verify its records before issuing bills,” said Mohammad Naseeb, another local.
The aggrieved consumers urged the authorities to conduct a thorough verification of payment records and rectify the discrepancies without delay.
“We appeal to the higher officials of the Jal Shakti Department to intervene and ensure that corrected bills are issued to all affected consumers,” they added. The residents expressed hope that the department would treat the matter as a priority and resolve the issue at the earliest to prevent further inconvenience to the public.
Meanwhile, Assistant Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department Division Handwara. Adnan Ashraf told Greater Kashmir that aggrieved consumers should meet him in person so that the grievance is redressed.
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