For the first time in its history, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) invoked the Revenue Recovery Act on Friday to confiscate moveable assets worth Rs 1.47 lakh in a building (1-7-1069) at RTC Crossroads which falls in the board’s O&M Narayanaguda division.

The action followed failure by the occupants of the building, despite having been served disconnection and red notices and also Form-I for seizure of assets, to clear the water bill dues. Assets of near- value equal to the dues were seized in the presence of director (revenue) PS Suryanarayana, chief general manager (engg) of revenue circle A Krishna, general manager (engg) of O&M division No. V  Narayanaguda Y Hanumanth Rao and officials of the vigilance wing.

The board has so far issued 199 Form-I notices consumers who have defaulted on payment and a similar action will be taken in all those cases. Managing director J Syamala Rao warned that the board would not remain lenient to holders of illegal connections.

The BBMP appears to be serious about its plans to give schools and colleges run by it a comprehensive makeover. Even as it is considering inviting private agencies to adopt these institutions, officials and elected representative are busy ‘choosing’ a uniform colour scheme to be painted on BBMP schools and college buildings.

BBMP runs 150 schools and colleges. Many of the schools lack proper basic infrastructure such as classrooms, toilets and furniture. The BBMP is now seeking the help of IT-BT companies and private educational institutions to adopt these schools. A BBMP official said they had  prepared a list of all 150 institutions along with their individual requirements. BBMP is also planning to organise a ‘Bangalore Summit’ soon, to seek the help of private parties to adopt its properties such as roads, parks and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, officials and councillors are already looking at colour schemes for these institutions. According to A Kodanda Reddy, chairman, BBMP standing committee for education, the members of his panel are proposing to adopt a tricolour scheme on all schools and college buildings. “This will make the buildings look distinct and will be easy to identify,” he said. He said the committee will send its recommendations to the BBMP Commissioner. “We will ask our officials to give cost estimates,” he added.

Reddy said there was no uniformity in the existing colour schemes at BBMP-run institutions. “Some of the schools are painted with lime, which is sticky. Now, we are using non-sticky, quality colours that makes the buildings look more attractive,” he added.

Sources from BBMP said some BJP councillors had earlier suggested saffron as the main colour. “But, there were strong objections from JD(S) and Congress councillors. So, we had to drop the idea,” said a BJP councillor.

The plan for a uniform colour scheme, however, could pose another problem for officials. A senior BBMP official told Express that not all of its schools and colleges were housed in individual buildings. “We do not have problems in adopting a uniform colour pattern on institutions housed in individual buildings. But, there are institutions that share a building with other BBMP offices. We cannot just paint the floor that has schools and colleges as it would look awkward,” the official said.