K. V. RAO Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The case of the petitioner is that it has obtained water connection to their premises i.e. 'Friendship Heights, H.No.8-3- 169/84, Siddharth Nagar, Vengal Rao Nagar, Hyderabad, under domestic category. While so, the respondent authorities converted the said water connection from domestic category to other than domestic category, without any notice and enquiry.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in the subject premises the petitioner is running an educational institution on Philanthropic basis i.e. no profit basis and without charging any amounts, as such, the respondents cannot collect water charges treating the same as other than domestic purposes. It is also stated that the petitioner has already made representation dated 06.07.2020 questioning the Demand Notice dated 01.06.2020, whereby the respondent authorities enhanced water charges treating the premises under commercial category. He also submits that since the representation of the petitioner is pending before the respondent authorities, the writ petition can be disposed of with a direction to the respondent authorities to consider the representation of the petitioner.

(3.) Heard Sri T.Sudhakar Reddy, learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 2 and 3 who submits that the petitioner initially obtained water connection to the subject premises under domestic category, but, now they are running an educational institution in the subject premises, as such, Demand Notice was issued treating the said connection other than domestic category in terms of Section 25, Rule 18 of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 1989 (For short 'the Act').