Indian Express 23.09.2009
Mayor rejects hike in water tariff and taxation proposals
City Mayor Kamlesh has rejected the proposals to hike water tariffs and introduce metered connections to domestic consumers. The proposals prepared by the Municipal Corporation officials were submitted to the Mayor for approval. Following her rejection, the proposal will not be presented before the MC House scheduled to be held on September 25.
The Mayor, who had earlier expressed opposition to increase in House Tax and Property Tax, called a meeting of the Congress councillors on Tuesday to discuss the proposals. The councillors unanimously rejected the proposals, claiming they are unjust and not people-friendly.
Civic officials had earlier proposed that water tariffs be hiked by 100 per cent because the tariff has not been increased in a decade. As per the procedure, any agenda before being placed before the House has to be approved by the Mayor.
The issue of levying taxes and increasing tariff has always seen the officials and elected representatives at loggerheads, as the latter have always opposed fresh taxes.
Kamlesh said, “Officials had proposed to hike water tariff by 100 per cent, but this would be a very steep hike and hence not justified. We have rejected the proposal. The MC has enough surplus funds and we do not need to burden the residents.”
The Mayor also took the officials to residential colonies to show them that there has been no change in water supply over the years.
She suggested that before increasing tariffs or introducing meters, conditions in colonies be improved because the residents have frequently complained about receiving muddy water and lack of supply.
Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria, in the House meet held last month, had asked the councillors to consider the increase in tariffs and levy taxes as this was a part of the reforms under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. If reforms were not introduced, there might be problems in receiving further installments for various projects, he had said.
