BJP cadre stage protest against water tariff hike

Accuses govt. of revising the charges without any rationale

Strong opposition: The BJP accuses Puducherry government of taking the easy route of increasing tariff rather than collecting tax arrears and dues from defaulters.

Cadre belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Head Post Office on Rangapillai Street to protest against the increase in water tariff.

Party cadre took out a march from Anna Salai before assembling in front of the post office. BJP local unit president V. Saminathan said the government, without any rationale, increased the tariff by 50% putting enormous burden on the public.

The government has conveniently desisted from collecting huge amount of dues to be paid as tax by cable television operators. There were umpteen number of cases of tax evasion. Instead of collecting dues and taxes, the government had taken the easy route of increasing tax as part of revenue mobilisation, he added.

Seeking an immediate withdrawal of the increase, he said the party would intensify the agitation if the government failed to do so.