Water, Sewerage charges: Ludhiana MC to restore exemption of houses up to 125 sq yard

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 27

Providing a huge relief to economically weaker section in the city, the Municipal Corporation has decided to restore exemption of houses with an area of up to 125 sq yards from levy of user (water and sewerage) charges. It was announced by city Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu after a meeting of Congress councilllors at the camp office here today.

Sandhu said the issue was discussed at length in the wake of a false propaganda by opposition parties for their political interests and a decision was taken to keep the decision of the MC General House to levy water and sewerage charges on all categories of houses (including those up to 125 sq yards) in abeyance for the time being.

He said the exemption from user charges on houses up to 125 sq yds was withdrawn in keeping with the recommendations of an all-party subcommittee of the MC General House to avail a World Bank loan for the city for 24-hour canal-based water supply. The decision was also endorsed by the House where councilors of all opposition parties were also present.

“However, for some time now an impression was being created as if the ruling party was anti-poor and the fact that all political parties were together in deciding upon the withdrawal of exemption of small houses from water and sewerage charges was being concealed by opposition parties to show the Congress in a poor light,” the Mayor said.