Protests against the hike in water and underground drainage (UGD) charges continued on the second day on Wednesday. Civil society groups, too, joined the chorus against the hike.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) city unit staged a protest in front of the VMC main office, while CPI (Marxist) workers held a demonstration in the 23rd division near Barma Sitaramaiah Municipal Corporation Specical Primary School. CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao lead the dharna near the Santi Nagar tax collection centre.
The Left leaders said the VMC Council should scrap the resolutions adopted during the Special Officer’s tenure. The council should review all decisions taken during the last three-and-half years, they said. The corporation, unfortunately, is looking at water supply as a revenue spinner. VMC officials hiked water charges without the approval of the elected body. During last fiscal also, the charges were increased when the elected body was not in vogue. The officials violated the constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental rights with their moves. The hike was against the by-laws, they said.
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Meanwhile Tax Payers Association submitted a memorandum to Mayor Koneru Sridhar and Deputy Mayor Gogula Ramana Rao, urging them to take necessary steps to roll back the increase in water and UGD charges. Association president V. Sambi Reddy and secretary M.V. Anjaneyulu said the VMC had made a mockery of democracy with its decision to revise water charges. People are already demanding that the Corporation roll back the hike effected last year. Notwithstanding their demand, the VMC revised the tariff by 7 per cent again, they said.
The Association demands include roll-back of hike in charges, construction of flyover near Benz Circle and Durga temple.