OVER 1 LAKH APPLY FOR WATER CONNECTION UNDER VDS

NEWS PUNJAB

• 52913 APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF UNAPPROVED CONNECTIONS & 55717 APPLICATIONS FOR NEW WATER CONNECTIONS RECEIVED
• VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE SCHEME EXTENDED UPTO JULY 31, 2020

CHANDIGARH, JULY 15:

Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) notified by Water Supply and Sanitation Department has received unprecedented response from the consumers. Since the launch of this scheme over 1 lac applications have already been received, which includes 52913 applications for approval of unapproved connections and 55717 applications for new water connections. It was disclosed by Mrs. Razia Sultana, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister in a press communiqué released here today.

Highlighting the efforts of the Department to make this VDS scheme a grand success, Mrs. Razia Sultana said that the field staff Department of Water Supply and Sanitation at all levels worked 24X7 tirelessly in obtaining the forms physically from the consumers and getting the forms completed, which were received through website/ mobile app and requests received through toll free number.

The Minister said that the scheme was launched from June 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. She said that large number of applications are still pouring in on daily basis so keeping in view the strong demand from various quarters and to extend maximum benefit of the scheme to the consumers, the Punjab Government has decided to extend this scheme upto July 31, 2020.

 Mrs. Razia Sultana further said that under this scheme Water Supply & Sanitation Department offers an opportunity to consumers in rural areas of Punjab, for Voluntary Disclosure and free of cost regularisation of their unapproved connection. As per the policy no Charges are taken from consumers for the previous usage of water if any. In addition new connections can also be applied for approval free of cost.

The Water Supply and Sanitation Minister attributed the success of this campaign to the strong publicity campaign launched by the department and various options given to consumers to apply for the scheme, which includes calling on Toll Free No. 1800-103-6999, online requests can be submitted through Department website www.pbdwss.gov.in, scanning QR code printed in advertisement of VDS and application form can also be obtained and submitted physically to the nearest Water Works, Section office or Sub-division office of DWSS.

Mrs. Razia Sultana re-iterated that Department is committed to provide drinking water of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis to every rural household of Punjab i.e. HAR GHAR PAANI by March, 2022