The Communist Party of India-Marxist CPI(M) has staged a dharna in front of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) office protesting the proposal to hike the water tariff.
CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao on Thursday said that the people were already overburdened with heavy taxes and steep rise in prices of essential commodities. The Corporation, at this juncture, was poised to hike the water tariff much to the agony of the people. The State government has wicked plans to introduce to water meters and loot the people at its will. The government has already hiked the power charges and LPG gas charges, he pointed out.
It was unfortunate that the VMC was planning to introduce a single tariff of Rs. 175 to every category. Lakhs of poor would suffer if the Rs. 50 category was withdrawn. The Corporation instead of augmenting the water supply for ensuing summer, has chalked out plans to increase the tariff. The elected representatives were least bothered about public woes. The people would not keep quiet if the VMC went ahead with its plans, he cautioned.
CPI(M) city secretariat members D. Vishnuvardhan, U V Ramaraju, city committee members V. Sambi Reddy, G. Nataraj, S. Prasad, ex corporators K. Sridevi, B. Satyababu and others were present.
