Source: hindustantimes
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) increased water prices by 5.36 per cent or Rs 0.25 per 1,000 litres for domestic users from June 16. As per an official, domestic users who were paying Rs 4.66 for 1,000 litres will now have to pay Rs 4.91 per 1,000 litres. Besides, users in slums will witness an upsurge from Rs 3.49 per 1,000 litres to Rs 3.68.
The rates for non- domestic users like non- trading institutions have also increased from Rs 18.66 to Rs 19.67 per 1000 litres. Numerous other businesses will get a hike of 5.40 per cent. With the hike, the BMC is likely to receive Rs 54.44 crore additional in the next ten months.
However, corporators across the party lines aren’t in favour of the proposal.
As per a 2012 resolution, the BMC can upsurge the water tax every year while keeping hike below 8 per cent. Corporators will now approach the general body to re-open the dialogue on the resolution and discard it entirely.
The first increase in water charges was presented in 2012. The next 8 per cent hike was also announced in 2015. There was no hike in 2014 and 2016 as both years were election years.