Bengaluru, Jan 28: Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar today said that he has instructed officials to submit a report on water tariff hike.
“I have asked officials to submit a report on the water tariff hike, a decision will be taken soon. We are also taking steps to measure water consumption accurately,” he said speaking to reporters after a meeting with the officials of BBMP, BDA, BWSSB and BMRDA at Cauvery Bhavan.
“The water tariff hasn’t been hiked since 2014 and as a result BWSSB is incurring a loss of Rs 1000 crore per year. The electricity bill for the Board has increased from Rs 35 crore to Rs 75 crore. Monthly losses are to the tune of Rs 85 crore,” he said.
Tariff hike inevitable
“Water tariff hike has become inevitable. The officials of the BWSSB have had discussions with all the MLAs of the city. The Board is finding it difficult to raise funds as the banks are refusing to lend due to the losses,” he explained.
“The government had set aside Rs 20 crore to provide water to slums and urban poor but the BJP had stopped that scheme. We will restart that scheme. The water supplied to the poor also needs to be measured even if a token amount is charged. The water supplied to slums is being misused in many places. We have formulated a plan to collect accurate information on water consumption across the city. The illegal connections must be regularized,” he added.
Preparations for summer
“We have instructed officials to ensure there is no water shortage in Bengaluru this summer. We have also instructed officials to expedite filling up tanks to charge ground water in the city.”
“We have issued 15,000 new connections under Cauvery 5th stage and we are yet to issue another 20,000 connections. Many of the apartment complexes are not taking Cauvery water connection. All of them have been informed to take water connection mandatorily.”
“The government has spent money for the public use but many have taken illegal connections to avoid deposits and fees. The government has taken strong action to prevent illegal connections. Officials are visiting every house and apartment complexes to urge people to take Cauvery water connection.”
Asked about the quantum of water tariff hike, he said, “No decision has been taken on this and it will be decided after detailed deliberations. The poor need to some token amount of at least one paise per litre so that the Board has accurate measure of water supplied.”
Asked if the water tariff hike would be a burden when all prices are going up, he said, “Our government has reduced the electricity tariff. All this is happening due to increase in petrol and diesel prices. The employees are getting additional DA. The employees of the Board are fighting about non-payment of salaries.”
Asked about One time settlement scheme in BWSSB, he said, “It is being deliberated and I have instructed officials to look into it.”
Tender for tunnel road by Feb
“I have instructed officials to issue the tender for the Rs 17,780 crore for the tunnel road construction. I have given them a deadline of 3 years to complete the project. The project will be taken up in two phases. The government and the BBMP will release funds for this project. Many financial institutions have come forward to fund the project.”
Asked about a letter by MP P C Mohan opposing the tunnel project, he said, “The tunnel project is below the ground and doesn’t need any additional lands.”
Asked about issuing B khata in Bengaluru to properties which do not have e-khatas, he said, “We are introducing a revolutionary system in Bengaluru. I will give you more information about it in the weeks to come.”
