AIADMK councillors stall move to raise water tariff

Madurai Corporation eyed increased revenue to fund major water project

NO RISE:Corporation council meeting under way in Madurai on Thursday Photo: G. Moorthy

In the wake of stiff opposition from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors, the Madurai Corporation on Thursday decided to keep in abeyance a proposal to raise deposit for new water connections and monthly tariff.

The civic body convened a special meeting here to congratulate AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her victory in the recently concluded Assembly election. Mayor in-charge K. Thiraviam, who was in the chair, read out a resolution hailing the Chief Minister for her announcements on waiver of farm loans, reduction in working hours of Tasmac-run IMFL retail outlets etc., much to the jubilation of the members

But, when Mr. Thiraviam moved a resolution to increase deposit for new drinking water connections so that the additional revenue could be used to fund a major water project of the Central government, the councillors were on their feet. Despite the absence of opposition members belonging to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the AIADMK councillors opposed the proposal following which it was kept in abeyance.

The dedicated water supply project is meant to provide 61 MLD (million litres per day) to the city at a cost of Rs. 320 crore under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) of the Centre. As per the proposal, additional water would be pumped from Vaigai dam to Pannaipatti and brought to the city. A resolution was passed in the council to this effect on January 12 this year and it was also proposed then to get a grant of Rs. 169.60 crore. To fulfil the contractual obligations, the Corporation had to contribute Rs. 152 crore. For this purpose, it planned to increase the deposit for new connections and also raise tariff under three categories – domestic, commercial and industrial connections – based on the property’s plinth area.

It was decided that for an area measuring up to 500 square feet, the deposit for new connection would be Rs. 5,000 and the monthly tariff Rs. 75. For 501 to 1,200 square. feet, the deposit would be Rs. 8,000 and monthly tariff Rs. 150.

For commercial category, it was proposed to collect Rs. 20,000 as deposit for a plinth area of up to 1,000 square feet and monthly tariff of Rs. 400. As for industrial connections, the deposit would be Rs. 30,000 and the monthly tariff Rs. 1,000.

Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri and other officials were present at the meeting.