Himachal Pradesh discontinues free water supply in rural areas, imposes minimum Rs 100 monthly bill
The Himachal Pradesh government has officially discontinued free water supply in rural areas, now imposing a minimum Rs 100 monthly water bill. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Jal Shakti department has issued a formal notification. Additional Chief Secretary of Jal Shakti Department Omkar Chand Sharma confirmed the change, following which the free water facility has ended across the state.
Under the new policy, rural residents will now have to pay Rs 100 per month for water, just like electricity bills are paid. The Jal Shakti department will install water meters in rural areas, to ensure that every household contributes to the water supply system. Urban residents are already paying water bills, while the department was earlier providing free water in rural areas. However, the Jal Shakti Department is struggling to manage its water schemes, one reason being the Rs 800 crore bill to the electricity board.
The general public will now be charged for water, but vulnerable groups will be given some relief. Residents with income less than Rs 50,000, widows, single women, disabled persons and some other groups will have to pay only half the water bill. Meanwhile, high-income groups, including the chief minister, cabinet ministers, MLAs, government officials and income tax payers, will also have to pay a monthly water charge of Rs 100.
Detailed water charge details
For domestic consumers in rural areas, the new minimum charge will be Rs 100 per month per connection. In urban areas, the rates will vary depending on water usage:
- 0 to 20 kilolitres: Rs 19.30 per kilolitre
- 20 to 30 kilolitres: Rs 33.28 per kilolitre
- More than 30 kilolitres: Rs 59.90 per kilolitre
- In addition, a minimum repair charge of Rs 110 per month will be applicable, and in case of meter failure, a charge of Rs 444.07 per month will be levied.
The following rates will be applicable for government institutions, hospitals, schools, religious places, shops and other establishments in both rural and urban areas:
- 0 to 20 kilolitre: Rs 19.30 per kilolitre
- 20 to 30 kilolitre: Rs 33.28 per kilolitre
- 30 to 50 kilolitre: Rs 59.90 per kilolitre
- 50 to 100 kilolitre: Rs 106.30 per kilolitre
- More than 100 kilolitre: Rs 150 per kilolitre
Additionally, these institutions will have to pay a flat fee of Rs 444.07 with a minimum repair charge of Rs 110 per month in case of meter failure.
Non-domestic and non-commercial users in both rural and urban areas will have to pay Rs 153.07 per kilolitre with a minimum repair charge of Rs 1000 per month. In case of meter failure, the charge will be Rs 7072.45 per month.
Special tariff for bulk drug parks and other areas
The Jal Shakti department has also introduced special water charges for industrial areas, including bulk drug parks in Solan and Palampur. Rs 100 per kilolitre will be charged on water usage in these parks. For sewerage connections, the rates will be Rs 500 for domestic and government users, Rs 1000 for commercial users and Rs 2500 for non-commercial and non-domestic users.
Under irrigation schemes, charges will be applicable on per acre per crop basis, with a fixed rate of Rs 75 for each irrigation cycle.
This decision of the Himachal Pradesh government marks a significant change in water management policy, especially for rural areas that have benefited from free water supply so far. By imposing these charges, the government aims to improve the sustainability of water schemes and cover the operational costs faced by the Jal Shakti department. The new water charges are expected to come into effect soon after the official notification is released.
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