Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

KWA proposes 30 p.c. hike in water cess

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 17. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has submitted a proposal to the State Government to enhance the water cess by 30 per cent for all categories of consumers, according to T.M. Jacob, Minister for Water Resources.

During the question hour in the State Assembly today, he said a decision was yet to be taken by the Government on the revision of water cess. However, there was a serious thought on raising water charges at least for the non-domestic consumers. It was in 1999 that water tax was last revised, he added.

There was a proposal to introduce a bimonthly billing system for KWA consumers throughout the State. The practice so far has been to conduct meter reading once in four months. The bimonthly billing system has already been introduced in the city Corporation. It would soon be extended to the municipalities and in due course to the panchayats as well, Mr. Jacob said.

There was also a proposal to introduce a slab system for consumers, based on the plinth area of buildings. The domestic consumers would, however, have the option to choose either the existing system or the slab system. The KWA was still to receive a sum of Rs. 379.63 crores towards outstanding water bills from domestic consumers as well as various departments of the Government and other establishments.

To collect a water charge of Rs. 20, the KWA incurred an expense of around Rs. 12, the Minister said.

The rainwater harvesting scheme has been implemented in 335 schools in the State. This was a Central-assisted project, he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Indigenous malaria cases resurface at Valiathura
• KWA proposes 30 p.c. hike in water cess
• Traders oppose traffic curbs at Chalai
• Dams safety: CM urged to intervene
• Central nod likely for sea wall project
• Dispute over office building hots up
• Upa Lok Ayukta directive to KSEB
• Call to retain democratic character of varsities

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu