KMC & irrigation department reach consensus on dues, recovery

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation and the irrigation department on Wednesday reached a positive consensus on resolving long-pending dues and recovery issues, officials said. The agreement comes five days after the irrigation department cut KMC's water supply over arrears on March 20, prompting the civic body to seal the latter's Tarabai Park office over tax dues.The officials said a coordination meeting chaired by Kolhapur mayor Rouparani Nikam helped move the matter forward.According to KMC, the irrigation department owes it Rs 10 crore in dues. Officials said the civic body owed Rs 160 crore to the irrigation department in water dues. "During Wednesday's meeting, an in-depth discussion was held about the outstanding amounts owed by both sides. KMC requested verification of previous payments made to the irrigation department and proposed adjusting these amounts against the total dues. KMC has also approached the arbitration tribunal seeking a waiver of the charges and penalties imposed by the irrigation department," an official privy to the meeting details said.The officials said KMC already paid Rs 7.40 crore to the irrigation department this year and aimed to pay an additional amount by March 31, depending on fund availability.After the meeting, the mayor said a final decision on waiving the irrigation department's outstanding charges would be taken following a govt-level meeting.Those present at the meeting included KMC commissioner K Manjulekshmi, irrigation department executive officer Smita Mane, KMC deputy mayor Akshay Jarag, additional commissioner Shilpa Darekar, water engineer Harshjit Ghatge, women and child welfare committee chairperson Kausar Bagwan, opposition leader Rajesh Latkar, house leader Murlidhar Jadhav and Shiv Sena group leader Sharangdhar Deshmukh.