Water dearer from tomorrow; BMC to mop up ₹41 crore

MUMBAI: As part of its regular annual hike, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has increased water charges by 3.72% or Rs 0.18 per 1,000 litres for domestic users. The hike will be applicable from June 16.

According to a 2012 resolution by the BMC, domestic users are paying Rs4.91 per 1,000 litres, which will increase to Rs5.09. For users in slums, water charges will jump to Rs3.82 per 1,000 litres from Rs3.68. The charges for non-domestic users such as non-trading institutions will climb to Rs20.40 per 1,000 litres from Rs19.67. With the revised rates, the BMC expects to earn Rs41.33 crore more in the remainder months of this financial year.

As per the 2012 resolution, the BMC can increase the water tax annually while keeping the hike rate below 8%. The first hike on water charges was introduced in 2012, when the rates were hiked from Rs3.50 to Rs4 for domestic users, followed by another 8% hike in June 2013. The next 8% hike was announced in 2015. The BMC did not increase water charges in 2014, 2016 and 2017 as these years witnessed Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and civic elections. MUMBAI: Mike Bloomberg, CEO of Bloomberg, intends to work with the Maharashtra government to boost fintech (financial technology) start-ups in the state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said in New York.

After travelling to Dubai, he is currently in the US before visiting Canada. The state cabinet this year unveiled a financial technology policy that would facilitate setting up of 300 fintech start ups in the coming three years. Bloomberg also handed a copy of his book — Climate of Hope — to Fadnavis. The CM and Bloomberg also discussed expanding the Mumbai road safety initiative supported by the latter’s foundation, through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015. Mumbai was among 10 cities selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies for a five-year programme to adopt best road safety practices worldwide.

Fadnavis tweeted: “Discussions were held on expansion of road safety initiative supported by Bloomberg ..Substantial progress is seen with this initiative and many achievements were reviewed. This initiative resulted in fewer road accidents.”

Later, Fadnavis also addressed a community reception, ‘Mumbai Meets Manhattan’, organised by the Consul General of India and ‘Friends of Maharashtra’. It was attended by more than 500 delegates.

The CM will return to the city on June 16.

DOMESTIC USERS ARE PAYING ₹4.91 PER 1,000 LITRES, WHICH WILL INCREASE TO ₹5.09, WHILE SLUM DWELLERS WILL HAVE TO SHELL OUT ₹3.82