The decision of Uthukuli Town Panchayat to increase the water charges by 50 per cent is inviting the wrath of a large section of residents.
The administration had resolved to increase the charges with effect from June 1. Those having water supply connection will have to pay Rs. 75 a month against the existing Rs. 50 a month.
R. Kumar, a CPI(M) district committee member, and a former chairman of the panchayat, said that the rates should be rolled back as a majority of the population were poor. “The CPI(M) has decided to hold an agitation against the rate revision on May 26,” he said.
After 10 years
When contacted, panchayat Executive Officer S. Ramprasath told The Hindu that the water charges were not revised for more than 10 years.
It was revised now to meet the maintenance and operational expenditure which had increased multifold during the last one decade, he said.
“The new water supply scheme coming up is an additional financial burden on the administration.
If the scheme becomes fully operational, the residents would get 108 litres per capita per day (lpcd) against the 85 lpcd supplied now,” he added.
