Pay through the nose for water in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 11

Amid the economic slowdown, residents will have to shell out more for water supply in the city as the UT has increased the water tariff ranging from 50 per cent to 200 per cent for various slabs.

As per a notification issued by the Local Government Department, UT, the water consumed for domestic use in residential premises will be charged at Rs3 per kilolitre (kl) for 0-15 kl, Rs6 per kl for 16-30 kl, Rs12 per kl for 31-60 kl and Rs24 per kl for above 60 kl.

A flat Rs25 per kl will be charged for water consumed in establishments such as educational institutions and hostels attached thereto, hospitals or clinics, but excluding shops and other commercial establishments, PGI and hostels attached thereto, community centres or clubs recognised by the Administration, charitable institutions and hostels attached thereto, residential buildings or any part thereof being used for professional purposes (doctors, architects, dentists), dhobi ghats approved by the Administration, coaching centres and career institutes. Also, water used in government and semi-government offices will be charged at Rs25 per kl.

However, water used in industrial, semi-industrial and commercial establishments or for construction or renovation will be charged at Rs30 per kl.

For unmetered water supply in urban area (EWS houses only), a flat rate of Rs500 per connection, per month, per family till meters are fixed in colonies and villages (in the existing houses) and EWS houses will be charged.

The water supply through tankers will be charged at Rs600 per tanker (free water supply for religious functions). The MC will charge Rs30 per kl for drinking or potable water used for irrigation of lawns (metered).

However, if anybody is found misusing the drinking water, he or she will be challaned and fined at Rs5,000 for default, which will be included in his or her regular water bill and will be charged at double the prescribed tariff.

The minimum rates for commercial have been fixed at Rs1,500 for booths (fast food or dhaba), Rs1,000 for SCOs or SCFs, bay shops (general trade), Rs2,000 for SCOs/SCF/bay shops (water consuming business) and Rs5,000 for hotels, cinemas and shopping malls.

However, a water cess of Rs20 per month per connection will be charged for maintenance of public parks and green belts within the MC limits.

All charges will be automatically hiked by 3 per cent on the basic rate on the first day of every financial year, beginning April 1, 2021.