PUNE: Water Resources Department has yet again warned Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to pay pending dues amounting to Rs 354.70 crore. 

The dues are against water drawn by PMC from Khadakwasla irrigation project. 

With the PMC failing to pay these dues, the department has said that it will not be able to carry out the maintenance work at various dams covered in Khadakwasla irrigation project.

A letter written by the top officials of Khadakwasla irrigation project states that the track record of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is far better than PMC, as far as compliance of water supply norms is concerned. 

It states that despite repeated reminders, PMC has not taken any measures to curtail its current usage of water.

On the other hand, PCMC is supplying water as per the set norms.

The letter further mentions that PMC is using more water than approved by Maharashtra water resources regulatory authority. 

It states that PMC is using 10 per cent water for commercial purpose, when it is allowed to use only 2.5 per cent quota. The letter states that PMC is thus paying less amount to the department. 

The dues worth Rs 354 crore include administrative charges and penalty on annual water usage i.e more than 11.5 TMC. 

Two months ago, Water Resources Department had warned the civic body to reduce its water usage. In a second such letter sent to PMC, the department has cited that it requires funds to pay salaries of employees, as well as to carry out maintenance work of the dams.