Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India]: In a significant move aimed at providing relief to consumers, the Uttarakhand government has extended the 100% surcharge waiver on pending water and sewer dues until 31 March 2025. This extension will benefit water and sewer consumers in the state who have yet to clear their pending dues.
Key Highlights:
- Surcharge Waiver Extended: The waiver, initially set to end on 31 December, has been extended to 31 March 2025. This decision was made following an announcement by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in November. The scheme, which offers a 100% waiver on late fees for lump sum payments, has already been widely utilized by consumers.
- Forensic Lab Vehicles Launched: Chief Minister Dhami also flagged off six forensic lab vehicles under the Home Department on Tuesday. These vehicles, valued at Rs 65 lakh each, are equipped with essential kits for drug detection, explosives, fingerprints, DNA analysis, and cybersecurity, enabling the police to conduct primary testing of criminal incidents on the spot.
- Deployment of Forensic Vehicles: The vehicles will be dispatched to Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, and Srinagar in the first phase. The initiative, funded with Rs 3.92 crore from the Central Government, will later expand to cover all districts in Uttarakhand.
- New Appointments: On the same day, CM Dhami handed over appointment letters to 45 newly selected candidates under the Home and Provincial Guard Force Departments. These appointments include 11 lab assistants for the Home Department and 34 regional youth welfare officers for the Provincial Guard Force Department.
Conclusion:
The extension of the surcharge waiver for water and sewer dues and the launch of the forensic lab vehicles mark significant efforts by the Uttarakhand government to provide relief to its citizens and strengthen law enforcement in the state. Additionally, the appointment of new candidates highlights the state’s commitment to enhancing public service and fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed India by 2047.