Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board, which continuous to struggle to collect its due taxes, water bills and other revenues, was able to make some fast cash thanks to the recent ward elections.

In just three days prior to the day of nomination, the Board witnessed voluntary bill payments of more than Rs 27 lakh, that had been due for more than seven years.

“The dues were cleared by the 114 contesting candidates. Most of the bills that were paid by the poll candidates were due since the last few years and they also incurred penalties,” said Sujatha Gupta, the chief executive officer, SCB.

Among the defaulters were former ward members. “S. Keshav Reddy, who was a former ward member and also a candidate who won the election from Ward No. 2, J. Maheshwar Reddy; the candidate who bagged the seat from Ward. No.1; P. Shyam Kumar, former board member from Ward No. 7; and others cleared their bills prior to the elections,” said an official with SCB revenue wing.

As per the Cantonment Act, only a candidate who is not a defaulter with Board would be eligible for contesting in the elections, said the official.