Date:09/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/09/stories/2007020915250400.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Water charges may be raised

Staff Reporter

Small consumers will be spared, says Minister

KOCHI: The State Government is considering raising water charges for bulk industrial and commercial consumers.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran said the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) was in a financial trouble. It logged a deficit of Rs.4 a kilolitre of water it supplied. The situation could be overcome only with a hike in the charges for which a proposal had been pending with the Government since 1999. However, he said, the small consumers would be spared.

Amending rules

The Government was also considering amending water supply rules to impose more severe punishment on those who tapped water illegally. The current penal measures stopped at a fine of Rs.500 and disconnection of water supply. This was not much of a deterrent and amended rules would consider even jail terms for the offenders. Special squads would be formed to detect illegal tapping of water, he said.

Adalats

Mr. Premachandran said the KWA would hold State-wide Revenue Adalats next month. The first Adalat would be held in Kochi on March 17. The Adalats were being planned after a similar effort proved successful in the State capital.

Of the 543 cases that came up for hearing at the Adalat in Thiruvananthapuram, 393 were settled. By the end of March, Adalats would be held in all the districts of the State, he said.