The Times of India 26.08.2010
MC okays higher water charges
CHANDIGARH: Residents of the city will now have to shell out more for water. The municipal corporation approved amendments regarding this in a meeting of its house on Wednesday.
While councillors of Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Shiromani Akali Dal opposed the move, Congress utilized its majority to push it through by voice vote. As per the amendment, the charges will be Rs 2 per kilolitre for the first 15kl. Earlier, that was Rs 1.75. For the next 15kl, the tariff has been raised to Rs 4 from the earlier Rs 3.50.
For consumption of 30 to 60 kl, the charge will be Rs 6 per kl as opposed to the previous Rs 5. Every kl above 60 will cost Rs 8 now as opposed to the earlier Rs 6. Institutional users will have to pay Rs 12 per kl instead of Rs 6.
These would include educational institutes, hospitals, clubs, charitable institutions and allied hostels. Residential buildings with offices of professionals will be included in these along with coaching centres and UT-approved dhobi ghats.
The water supply to government and semi-government offices will be Rs 14 per kl as opposed to Rs 12 earlier.
For industrial and commercial establishments and construction purposes the supply will cost Rs 15 per kl, which was Rs 11 earlier.
Supply through water tankers would cost Rs 350, which was Rs 300 previously.
Potable water used for irrigation of lawns will cost Rs 8 per kl. That was Rs 2.50 earlier. Lawns/parks will have to pay Rs 600 per acre per month. That charge was Rs 500.
For misusing drinking water, the fine will be Rs 2,000 instead of Rs 500.
Society fees
The water connection fee for housing societies having an area of 4,000 square metre would be Rs 10,000. For those, which have an area between 4,000 and 10,000 square metres, it would be Rs 15,000 and for still bigger societies, the fee would be Rs 25,000. Refundable security would be Rs 25,000, 50,000 and 75,000, respectively.
'Ensure supply'
Opposing the hike, BJP councillor Gurcharan Dass Kala said the MC should ensure potable water for Manimajra as the area was still not getting that in spite of Rs 6-crore pipeline being laid there
Not enough
Sources said MC engineers had proposed a hike of 50-60% in the charges, but councillors limited it to 10-12%. Experts said this would not help MC much.
