Kozhencheri: Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine on Saturday said the 5 per cent increase in water tariff as mandated by the Centre will not be implemented this financial year. "Since the state has increased the charges recently, we will not be implementing the tariff hike as mandated by the Union Government. This decision will be communicated to the Centre too," he told Manorama News.
People will not be made to suffer a double blow, he told Manorama News.
The new increase is as per the central government's provision for sanctioning additional loans. Earlier, the Kerala Water Authority officials had indicated that there would not be a 5 per cent increase since the state has imposed an increase of one paise per litre recently.
However, in his response to the Assembly on Monday, Roshie Augustine clarified that he has not decided to withdraw the 5 per cent annual increase in charges. The minister also confirmed this on Friday.
In response to Eldhose Kunnappilly's question in the Assembly, the minister said the rate would be increased by 5 per cent as per the Central provision. But the order does not specify for how many years the tariff will be levied. The minister also stated that it has not been decided to withdraw this increase at present.
It was decided to increase the charge by 5 per cent from April 1. When implemented, there will be an increase of Rs 3.50 to Rs 60 in various slabs.
