Water tariff hike by one paisa per litre on cards: Deputy CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru City Development portfolio, said on Friday that the state government was planning to hike the water tariff by one paisa per litre. “The water tariff in Bengaluru has not been revised since 2014. Given the losses, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed a hike of 7-8 paise per litre. But I have told them that 7-8 paise is too much.

The government is contemplating a one paise hike per litre. We will discuss the matter with MLAs from the city and take a decision,” he said. The DyCM was replying to Congress MLC Ramoji Gowda’s demand to ensure Cauvery water to households given the approaching summer. “We had a difficult year last year. As 7,000 borewells have dried up, the government has taken over the private water tankers. We have executed the Cauvery 5th stage work, under which water is being supplied to 110 villages.

In view of Water Conservation Day on March 22, the government has decided to observe a monthlong campaign to create awareness among people on the need of water conservation,” Shivakumar said. “The builders have constructed numerous apartments, but none of them have paid deposits to the BWSSB. As they are found to have taken connections illegally, notices have been served to them,” he said. “The government will take over water tankers this summer too. The water tanker business has become a mafia. Besides, the government has decided to fill all the lakes with treated water to recharge the groundwater levels. The Cauvery 6th stage plan is also ready,” he said.

“A lot of people are using drinking water for washing livestock and gardening. Many of them have covered the bare ground with concrete, which affects water absorption. The government will take action on these things. The water conservation month will create awareness on these matters also,” he added.

All-party delegation to Delhi: When BJP MLC Keshava Prasad raised the issue of compensation to those displaced by Alamatti dam and about objections raised by Maharashtra, the DyCM said, “I am of the opinion that an all-party delegation must be taken to Delhi to urge the Centre to issue a Gazette notification on the 3rd stage of Upper Krishna Project.”

Banter: When BJP MLC C T Ravi tried to pull his leg by asking if there was some ‘good news’ behind his today’s ‘pleased look’, especially after the dinner he hosted for MLAs last night, Shivakumar quipped, “Pleasing people is equal to worshipping Shiva.” To a query by MLC Ravi Kumar about when he could expect the ‘good news', the DyCM said, “I have been climbing up the ladder ever since 1984. I have climbed down a little due to your troubles. You sent me to Tihar Jail, but you are not saying this.”

Replying to MLC T N Javarayi Gowda, who raised the issue of the shortage of pourakarmikas, Shivakumar said, “Through a special campaign, we have recruited 5,000 people for daily wage work. I will give you a detailed reply on Monday or Tuesday.”