Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad has two water connections — one for the north and the other for the south campus. Students, however, still complain of a shortage of drinking water in their hostels. A girl student, who stays at one of the hostels said: “Sometimes, I have to step out in the middle of the night — to the mess — to get drinking water because the water cooler dries out.”
UoH students claim that both the water connections were cut by officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). But when they were contacted for comment, officials from both the water board and university denied the allegations and claims.
However, when the billing history of the water connections was checked by the Deccan Chronicle, it was found that while one water connection shows a bill generated on September this year, the other had a bill generated on January of this year.
The Water Board and university officials have said that in one connection, Manjeera water used to be supplied but as the river dried up, the supply was stopped. Now thousands of rupees are being spent every day on buying water, which is also not proving to be enough.
Another discovery the billing history revealed was that UoH had spent close to Rs 2.7 crore until now for paying interest on dues it had accrued by not paying sewerage cess on the water bills since 2009. The arrears are now an estimated Rs 12.7 crore. Every month, lakhs of rupees is being paid as interest on the arrears. For example, in September, Rs 3,85,169 was paid as interest on one connection's bill. A whopping Rs 9,19,129.96 is due as interest on the other connection.
University Engineer, Prof K.S. Prasad, said: "The university is maintaining two sewage treatment plants and also sewage lines inside campus. Many years ago, it was argued by the university that as we maintain our own sewerage there was no need to pay the cess.”
Sridhar Babu, Director, Revenue, HMWS and SB said on every water connection provided by the water board, a sewerage cess is levied - which is to be paid by everyone. Having an STP does not mean that the cess will be waived off. “It just means there will be a discount given on it,” he added.
