The Hindu 13.09.2009
Councillors oppose move to increase water charges
Special Correspondent
COIMBATORE: Leaders of the parties in the Coimbatore Corporation Council opposed on Monday a proposal by the State Government for an increase in the drinking water charges. They argued at an all-party meeting that any increase now would be ill-timed as the city was reeling under erratic water supply.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, party leaders, zone heads and officials took part in the meeting.
Apart from Vacant Land Tax and Property Tax, the meeting was also convened to discuss the rates suggested by the Government as charges for consumption of drinking water by various categories of consumers (commercial and domestic). The parties were not inclined to discuss the tariff much as they had already rejected the rates suggested by the Government at an earlier meeting of the Council. They did not want any upward revision of the rates already agreed upon after many rounds of discussions at all-party meetings and in the Council.
Though the Corporation had pointed out that a steep increase in water charges was needed to generate funds for water supply augmentation schemes, the parties insisted that only rates viable for all sections of the public should be fixed. They wanted the Corporation to look at social commitment along with the revenue aspect. Sources in the civic body said that the Government scrutinised the rates approved by the Council and then wanted these to be raised. It had, in an order, given a chart of rates that the Corporation could fix. Without openly rejecting it, the Council said that it could be discussed later.
Reacting to the fresh round of discussion on the proposed tariff, one of the councillors said that the Government Order sought to undermine the local body’s powers to decide on a suitable tariff. He said the order also bypassed the local body and its elected council.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Corporation North Zone Chairman C. Padmanabhan categorically stated at the meeting on Monday that this issue need not be discussed now.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member P. Rajkumar said it would be unwise to talk of a tariff increase when many parts of the city did not have regular supply of water. Ganapathy and Peelemedu got Pilloor water only once in five to six days. The Siruvani scheme areas got supply on alternated days. The Corporation could talk of a charge increase to the people only when they got enough water.
The Commissioner said the city would have 24-hour water supply when the Pilloor Phase II water scheme was completed. Efforts were on to speed up the scheme. Till then, the city would have to endure the present situation.
