Shimla residents to pay more for water, garbage
Tribune News Service
Shimla, March 31
Shimla residents will have to shell out more for water and disposal of garbage from tomorrow. For electricity and liquor, too, a hike is on the cards as the Municipal Corporation has already passed the proposal and the administration will soon send it to the Electricity Department and the Excise Department. While the garbage collection charge and water bills across all slabs and categories will see an identical 10 per cent increase, the hike proposed in electricity cess is 20 paise per unit from 10 paise per unit, and in liquor Rs 5 per bottle from Rs 2 per bottle.
“For garbage fee, a 10-per cent annual increase in water bills has already been approved. Last year, the hike in water bills was deferred because of the pandemic. However, this time, it will be levied from April 1,” said SJPNL independent director Digvijay Chauhan. He, however, assured that the company may provide some respite to consumers in future. “We have managed to bring down our cost of water procurement from Rs 117 for 1,000 litres to around Rs 90-95 through efficient energy management. In times to come, we can pass this benefit to consumers.”
While residents may resent the hike, especially those whose livelihood and earnings have been affected because of the pandemic, Mayor Satya Kaundal feels the increased cess is required to fund developmental activities. “There are several developmental works going on in the city, funded through AMRUT and Smart City Project,” said Kaundal. “However, some clauses in the Smart City project prevent it from funding development works in the merged areas of the MC. So, works like constructing parks, parking lots and ambulance roads are being funded from the MC head.”
She further claimed that the MC had sought people’s views and most were fine with the increased charges. “We want all 34 wards of the MC to have similar development. So many projects are underway in the city at the moment. So, people will not mind paying the increased charges,” she said.
Former Mayor and CPM leader Sanjay Chauhan, however, has slammed the MC. “There has been more than 100-per cent increase in the garbage fee in four years. It was Rs 40 in 2017 and now it will be Rs 97. Also, water charges have increased more than 50 per cent. In the times of pandemic, the MC and the government should have provided relief to people but they are instead putting an additional burden on them,” he said. “The CPM opposes it and will launch an agitation against it.”
10% hike in bills
While the garbage collection charge and water bills across all slabs and categories will see an identical 10-per cent increase, the hike proposed in electricity cess is 20 paise per unit from 10 paise per unit and for liquor, Rs5 per bottle from Rs 2 per bottle
