Chandigarh, December 5
The Cabinet subcommittee has approved the revision and utilisation of user charges for repair and maintenance of rural water supply schemes in Punjab, it is reliably learnt.
As per the approved rates, for normal schemes designed at 40 litres per capita per day water supply, the monthly tariff for private connections would be Rs 50 for 2002-03 and 2003-04 and Rs 55 for 2004-06 and Rs 60 for 2006-07. In respect of water supply under Nabard schemes designed for supply of 70 litres per capita per day, the charges would be Rs 60 per month for 2002-04, Rs 70 for 2004-06 and Rs 75 for 2006-07.
The monthly tariff for households drawing water from standposts will be as follows: Rs 10 for 2002-05 and Rs 15 for 2005-07.
The Department of Public Health proposes to reduce the number of public stand posts over a period of five years with private connections getting priority. The existing flat rate is Rs 40 per connection and there is no change on standposts.
The other measures approved by the committee include the levy of a flat rate of Rs 200 per month per water connection from a commercial establishment/shop situated either inside the village or on the link roads and a flat rate of Rs 500 per month per water connection from a commercial establishment/shop situated on the national/state highway.
The revised rates would be applicable from January 1 of each calendar year. The charges so collected would be retained by the department rather than depositing in the state Treasury.
