Provision of public hydrants

(1) The Authority shall, subject to the payment by a local body, of such charges as the Authority may determine provide supply of wholesome water to the public through the public hydrants within its local area. (2) The Authority may, at the request of the local body and shall, if Government so directs, subject to payment of such contribution towards its cost in such manner as may be prescribed, provide and maintain within the local area public hydrants together with all incidental works for the supply of water at such places as may be considered necessary by the local body. (3) The local body shall pay to the Authority quarterly such sum as may be fixed by the Authority, towards the cost of water supplied by it through the public hydrants within its local area on the basis of expected consumption of water and in accordance with such principles as may be prescribed. (4) Where any doubt or dispute between any local body and the Authority arises in regard to any matter mentioned in sub-section (1) to (3) such doubt or dispute shall be referred to the Government whose decision thereon shall be final and binding on the Authority and the local body concerned.