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.

Business Line 11.09.2009

TN cuts infrastructure, amenities charges for realtors

Our Bureau

Chennai, Sept. 10 The Tamil Nadu Government has brought down the infrastructure and amenities charges levied on real estate developments.

Through an order on Wednesday, the Housing and Urban Development Department in GO. MS. No. 161 has said that infrastructure and amenities charge on commercial multi-storeyed buildings in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and Chingleput region would be Rs 500 a sq m; in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Kurichi Rs 375; and in other areas Rs 250. This is a 50 per cent reduction on the charges levied earlier.

For multi-storeyed residential buildings, the infrastructure and amenities charges have been brought down by 75 per cent to Rs 250 a sq m uniformly across the State.

For buildings other than multi-storeyed buildings, including commercial, group development and special buildings, charges have been fixed at Rs 100 a sq m in Chennai Metropolitan Area and Chingleput region; Rs 75 in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Kurichi; and Rs 50 in other areas.

For institutional buildings not covered under multi-storeyed buildings the infrastructure and amenities charges in Chennai Metropolitan Area and Chingleput region is Rs 100 a sq m; in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Kurichi Rs 75; and in other areas Rs 50.

For industrial buildings other than multi-storeyed buildings the charges in Chennai Metropolitan Area and Chingleput is Rs 150 a sq m; in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Kurichi Rs 112.50 and for other areas Rs 75.