BWSSB Proposes OTS Scheme to Recover ₹701 Crore Arrears
Objective:
- To recover pending arrears of ₹701.72 crore in Bengaluru.
- Alleviate financial strain on the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
What is the OTS Scheme?
- One-Time Settlement (OTS)
- Waiver of interest and penalty on overdue amounts.
- Beneficiaries: 4,90,207 consumers, including:
Category-wise Arrears (Principal Amount Only):
- Domestic Users: ₹185.48 crore (Highest)
- Government of Karnataka: ₹56.04 crore
- Central Government: ₹22.92 crore
BBMP: ₹7.63 crore - Non-Domestic Consumers: ₹78.35 crore
Statement by BWSSB Chairman (V. Ram Prasath Manohar):
- OTS scheme is expected to increase revenue and ensure financial sustainability.
- Proposal submitted to the Finance Department for final approval.
Additional Context:
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar hinted at a possible hike in water tariff (1 paise increase under consideration by Karnataka govt).
Scheduled Caste Sub-Caste Census – Karnataka (May 2025)
Purpose:
To conduct a scientific classification of Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-castes in Karnataka to aid internal reservation decisions.
Timeline:
- Likely Start: First week of May 2025
- Duration: 40 days (can be extended by 20 more days)
- Final Report Deadline: 31 May 2025
Leadership:
- Headed by Retired High Court Justice H.N. Nagmohandas
- One-member commission formed for SC sub-caste classification
Scope & Coverage:
- Enumerators: 30,000 staff
- Budget: ₹8 crore estimated
Data Collected:
- Caste & Sub-Caste identification
- Education, Employment, Income Source
- Welfare Scheme Benefits (e.g., SCSP grants)
- Socio-economic, educational, and political backwardness
Background Stats:
- Karnataka SCs: Over 36 lakh identified during earlier general census (Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, Adi Andhra, etc.)
18.85 lakh people have incomplete caste/sub-caste data
Gold Exploration in Karnataka – 2024-25
Context:
- Union Govt has approved two new gold exploration projects in Karnataka:
- Killarhatti (Koppal & Raichur districts)
- Chinnikatti (Haveri district)\
Project Details:
- Part of 5 national projects under National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET)
- Exploration awarded to Mining Tech Consultancy Services Ltd
- Killarhatti – 10 months
- Chinnikatti – 12 months
Karnataka – “Land of Gold”
- Contributes ~80% of India’s gold production
- Historic Kolar Gold Fields (KGF):
- Started by British firm in 1880s
- Champion Reef: once the world’s deepest gold mine (3,217 m)
- Closed in 2001 due to depletion
Modern Mining
- Hutti Gold Mines (Raichur): India’s only active primary gold mine
- Operated by HGML (State-run)
Other gold-rich areas: Bellara, Ajjanahalli, Mulgund, Kappatagudda
