Himachal Pradesh News: The people of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, have got the gift of inflation in the first month of the year 2023 itself. After an increase of three rupees VAT on diesel, now drinking water rates have been increased by 10 percent in the capital Shimla. After getting the government’s approval for the proposal of Shimla Water Management Corporation Limited, a notification has also been issued in this regard.
Increased rates of water will be applicable from January 24
People of the capital Shimla will now have to pay more water bills than before every month. According to the notification, the new rates will be considered applicable from January 24. Also, from February people will have to pay the water bills of the increased rates. There are about 35 thousand drinking water consumers in Shimla city. Of these, 25 thousand are domestic while 10 thousand are commercial consumers. After 10 per cent increase in water rates, now these consumers will have to pay additional amount every month.
Increase in water rates after three years
There was no increase in drinking water rates for the last three years. The last time these rates were increased in the year 2019. Due to Corona, the government did not increase the water rates, but now after the situation is normal The year 2023 has been increased by 10 percent at the beginning itself. Pankaj Lalit, Managing Director of Shimla Water Management Corporation Limited, says that the proposal to increase drinking water rates by 10 percent in the capital has been approved by the government. The new rates will be considered applicable from January 24.
Additional burden on the general public
Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited’s argument behind increasing the water rates by 10 percent is that under the condition of the World Bank project, every year water rates are revised. It is necessary to increase by ten percent. The rate could not be increased for the last three years. Due to this, the company also had to bear a lot of loss. Now the World Bank will give Rs 28 crore to the company due to 10 per cent rate hike.
The company is to get a total of Rs 140 crores due to continuous increase in water rates in five years, but due to this, the pocket of the general public will now be burdened. At the same time, the main opposition party BJP has also accused the ruling party of pushing people into the pit of inflation.
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