Himachal Pradesh to charge minimum ₹100 water bill in rural areas, end free bus travel for police personnel
Diary Times News Service
Shimla, 09 August: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has reintroduced water billing in rural areas, reversing a decision taken by the previous BJP government. The new policy, which mandates a minimum monthly water bill of ₹100 for each connection, aims to improve the financial condition of the Jal Shakti Department.
This policy change also includes exemptions for weaker sections of society. Poor families, especially widows, single women, persons with disabilities and families with an annual income of less than ₹50,000, will not have to pay water bills.
In an effort to promote responsible water consumption and ensure fairness, water meters will be installed in rural households, with bills calculated based on actual usage. The measure is expected to help manage water resources more efficiently in the state, which often faces problems of water shortage.
The previous BJP government had cut water charges in May 2022, which the current government believes has put a great strain on the resources of the Jal Shakti Department. The department currently owes ₹800 crore in power bills, making it imperative to generate revenue through the billing system.
In a related move, the Cabinet also ended free travel for state police personnel in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. Police personnel, jail officials and Himachal Pradesh Secretariat Security Service employees will no longer be allowed to travel free by merely showing their identity cards. Instead, their official travel expenses will now be reimbursed on actual basis, a decision aimed at preventing misuse of concessional travel facilities.
Additionally, the Cabinet decided to relax the 60:40 condition under the Transport Policy 2014 for reallocation of 168 routes to private operators. Under the new rules, it will no longer be mandatory to operate 60% of buses in rural areas and 40% in urban areas, giving more flexibility to private bus operators.
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