Haryana Government Considers Waiving Water Bills for Rural Areas

Cabinet Meeting to Discuss Proposal Aimed at Clearing ₹372 Crore Pending Water Bills

In a significant development, the Haryana government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, is reportedly preparing to waive the outstanding water bills for rural households. The decision is expected to be formalized in today's cabinet meeting, indicating a proactive approach to address the water billing issues in the state.

The proposal, initially put forth by the Department of Public Health Engineering, suggests waiving a staggering ₹372 crore in water bills, pending for 28.87 lakh households across the state. Chief Minister Manohar Lal has reportedly given his approval to discuss the proposal in the cabinet meeting.The proposed waiver encompasses water bills for all consumers, belonging to the Scheduled Caste category, from April 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. Notably, this includes consumers in villages, excluding those with institutional, commercial, and industrial purposes.

Additionally, the proposal aims to exempt a charge of ₹35.78 crore imposed on these water bills, along with waiving the accrued interest. The Finance Department has already given its nod to the proposal on November 16.

Empowering Transport Inspectors:

Another agenda in the cabinet meeting is the enhancement of powers for Transport Inspectors (TIs). The government intends to grant TIs the authority to issue fines, considering the shortage of personnel in the Transport Department. This move aims to streamline and strengthen the enforcement capabilities of the department.

Other Proposals on the Table:

The cabinet meeting is expected to deliberate on several other proposals, including modifications to service rules in various departments. Potential changes may be introduced to the School Education Department's Work Allocation Rules of 1974, as well as to the Haryana State Forest Service Group C Rules and the Haryana State Civil Service Executive Service Rules.

Police Recruitment Rules Under Scrutiny:

The contentious issue of altering police recruitment rules is once again under consideration. The government, for the third time, is contemplating changes to these rules, impacting the recruitment of 6000 male and female constables by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission. However, due to unspecified reasons, the format for these amendments is yet to be finalized.

Discussion on Pending Bills and Legislative Proposals:

The cabinet meeting is also set to discuss the pending Haryana State Honour of Dead Bodies Bill 2023, the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Amendment Bill 2023, and the Registration and Regulation of Travel Agencies Act. These legislative proposals, directly linked to the jurisdictions of the Home and Health Minister Anil Vij, are expected to be reviewed and potentially modified in the meeting.

Conclusion:

The cabinet meeting holds the key to several crucial decisions that could have far-reaching implications for Haryana's rural households, the transport sector, and the state's legislative framework. The government's commitment to addressing water billing issues and empowering transport inspectors underscores its proactive approach to governance.