Residents of Suthran Khag in central Kashmir’s Budgam district are up in arms over a series of inaccurate water bills, with many individuals reporting charges for connections they never requested or received. Local consumer Nazir Ahmad Malah, who recently constructed a new house, voiced his frustration, saying, “I have recently built a new house, yet I have received a water bill even though I haven’t applied for a connection.”
Numerous other residents share similar concerns, questioning the billing process and demanding clarity from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.
Former Sarpanch Adail Jahangir expressed confusion over how these charges could be levied when no official connection requests have been submitted, let alone installed. This lack of proper verification has led to widespread anger in the community, with many residents feeling unfairly targeted.
Another local resident, Showkat Ahmad, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the billing system. He called for stronger verification procedures to ensure that only genuine consumers with active connections receive bills.
Locals have called on the PHE Department to act swiftly and transparently to address the issue and restore trust among the residents. [KNT]