Government Offices in Dolpa Found to Have Unpaid Water Charges, Causing Management Issues
April 8, Dolpa – It has come to light that even government offices in the Himalayan district of Dolpa have not paid water charges, resulting in significant problems. The Dunai Water Consumer Committee, which distributes water in the district headquarters, has reported that both government offices and private and commercial consumers have not paid water charges for years. Hikmat Shahi, secretary of the Dunai Water Consumer Committee, said that non-payment of charges by consumers has further complicated water management.
According to Shahi, out of the 316 water taps installed by the committee, 26 are located in government offices. Among them, 10 government offices in the district headquarters have not paid water charges for over a year. Among 61 private taps, 14 consumers have not paid for more than two years, and among 229 commercial taps, 45 consumers similarly remain in arrears. “Despite repeated correspondence and public notices, many consumers have not settled their bills. At this point, we shall refrain from naming the offices,” Secretary Shahi remarked. He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to maintain an orderly water supply system and warned that the committee might have to disconnect water lines of those failing to pay.
While some offices claim to have paid, committee officials state that no corresponding funds have appeared in their bank account. The committee plans to request payment proof and electronic fund transfer details from relevant offices starting from the fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24). The absence of office names on bank statements has complicated verification, according to the committee.
Difficulty in Operations Due to Revenue Shortfall
The committee currently charges a minimum monthly fee of NPR 150 for private taps, NPR 200 for commercial taps, and NPR 500 for government offices. Failure to collect even these basic fees has caused difficulties ranging from staff management to maintenance. The committee employs four staff members and monthly expenses exceed NPR 60,000, roughly equal to current revenue, Secretary Shahi said.
To prevent water misuse, the committee is preparing to install meters on all taps in the district headquarters area. From April 14 (Baisakh 1), meters have been installed on six taps for a trial period and studies are underway. The committee aims to install meters on all taps starting from May (Jestha) and is evaluating appropriate per-unit charges thereafter. Chairperson Babi Kishor Gurung noted that many consumers leave taps open and use water unnecessarily, causing shortages in certain areas. “Once meters are installed, water misuse will be controlled and consumers will receive water according to actual need,” he said.
Currently, approximately 240,000 liters of water are distributed daily from the Shalikhola and Palchakhola sources in Dunai, with supply provided for over seven hours each day in the morning and evening, according to committee officials.
The committee criticized the local Water, Irrigation and Energy Development Office for failing to undertake necessary work. Despite repeated requests to resolve water issues in the district headquarters, the office allegedly submits design proposals under pressure from various elected representatives, performs low-quality work, and makes payments on incomplete projects, Chairperson Gurung alleged. “Although sufficient budget is allocated for Dunai water, ineffective utilization has caused ongoing hardships,” he added.
Chairperson Gurung also noted that this year a new 128 cubic meter reservoir tank is being contracted to replace an old tank in Upper Dunai. Additionally, work is underway to renovate and expand 50-cubic meter reserve tanks near the campus side, Saraswati Temple, and hospital area, along with pipeline extensions. The old 90-cubic meter reservoir tank built in 2003 (2060 BS) has become dilapidated and is being replaced.
The Water, Irrigation and Energy Development Office has provided over NPR 10 million in financial support to the Dunai Water Consumer Committee to date. Annual assistance has ranged from NPR 1 million to 3 million, but the committee still faces budget shortfalls, Gurung explained. Alongside the new reservoir tank construction, additional support is needed this year for GI piping and maintenance, the committee said.