Shimla civic body proposes 10% hike in water charges
The Shimla municipal corporation (MC) on Wednesday proposed 10% hike in water charges. The MC had lately drawn criticism from public and political quarters for mismanagement of water resources that worsened the water situation in Shimla.
The proposed annual hike in water charges is in accordance with the government notification of April 2015.
The MC had in 2017 fixed charges at ₹13.20 per kilo liters of water for domestic connections and ₹25.30 per kilolitres for commercial consumers using water up to 20,000 liters.
However, MC did not install metres for entire 31,911 water connections.
Corporation had been charging flat rates for domestic connections and levies 30% sewerage cess. Irrigation and public health department supplies water to town while it is further distributed to consumers by MC.
“We have sent a proposal to the government for increasing water charges,” MC engineer Vijay Gupta said, adding that matter would be placed at monthly meeting of MC.
Shimla mayor Kusum Sadarte had on Tuesday fixed an emergency meeting to discuss the issue but it was cancelled following opposition from councillors.
BJP COUNCILLORS AGAINST HIKE
“It's strange that after town faced water crisis, MC has proposed hike in water charges,” said a BJP councillor on condition of anonymity.
After extreme water shortage in Shimla, the supply is being rationed in the town. The water is being supplied on alternate days. Shimla received 37 MLD water on Wednesday against its requirement of 45 MLD.
The civic body has also planned to penalise the consumers for wasting water.
Meanwhile, the irrigation and public health (IPH) department has proposed a new project for drawing additional water from Gumma pumping station in Shimla town.
Apart from it, the department is also working to construct checkdams in Gumma and Giri rivulets and another scheme to supply 10 MLD water to the town from Ashwani Khad scheme.
Department is working on a project worth ₹80 crore to enhance water supply to the Gumma pumping station from Sutlej river DEVESH KUMAR , secretary, Irrigation and public health dept