Hyderabad: Contractors have stopped the supply of drinking water to the Secretariat over pending bills that have reportedly mounted to Rs 50 lakh. The disruption has hit government employees as well as visitors who come to the Secretariat on official work.
Four contract agencies have been supplying purified 20-litre water cans to ministers’ offices and associated offices since the Congress government came to power. The agencies also supply small water bottles priced at Rs 7.
The contractors reportedly halted deliveries after their repeated requests for payment went unanswered. They had reportedly warned earlier that supplies would stop if the outstanding bills were not cleared, but the government allegedly did not settle the dues.
With the supply stopped, employees inside the Secretariat have been facing difficulties, and members of the public visiting government offices have also been affected by the shortage of drinking water. The contractors have reportedly informed the government that purified water deliveries will resume only after the pending payments are released, and the supply remains disrupted until then.
Employees reportedly told to bring water from home
Officials reportedly asked Secretariat employees to carry drinking water bottles from their homes. The instruction caused dissatisfaction among staff, who have reportedly objected to arranging their own drinking water during working hours, and it has become a talking point in Secretariat circles.
Employees were reportedly seen discussing the pending bills and when the supply might be restored. They also questioned when the government would clear the contractors’ dues.
The issue has drawn further attention because contractors had reportedly stopped the midday meal service earlier over unpaid bills. A similar stoppage over pending payments had reportedly occurred earlier during the Congress government’s tenure, sparking discussion among Secretariat staff and visitors from different parts of Telangana.
Authorities have not issued a response on the matter. There was no word on when the pending bills will be cleared or when the Secretariat water supply will resume.