HYDERABAD: Days after cracking the whip on consumers drawing water illegally and running up huge bill overdues, the HMWS&SB said FIRs will be booked against staffers as well if their role in providing illegal water connections and being in cahoots with consumers is established.“We will not spare even the water board staffers if their culpability in illegal water connections is found out,” warned HMWS&SB MD M Dana Kishore. Reviewing the ongoing vigilance wing drive, he said nine cases have been booked against consumers for illegal connections . He pointed out that the board would act tough on those consumers who retained connections under ‘domestic’ category though their premises had changed to ‘commercial’ category. He asked vigilance officials to identify these consumers before the third week of September and take action.“We will also initiate a departmental action against erring managers of O&M division after September 15 once the special drive is completed,” he said. Sources in the vigilance wing said the drive would be intensified and more FIRs booked against violators. “Informants can alert us on those having illegal water connections,” a senior official said.In a survey done by former IAS officer Prashant Umapathi, it was found that over 85% of users in the city consume water supplied by HMWS&SB. “The water board will not compromise on quality of the water supplied to colonies and localities,” Kishore said. He also urged officials to ensure 100 per cent billing.

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