TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Within a fortnight of presenting the State Budget, which should be a one time occasion for tax impositions, the State government on Thursday doubled the water tariff for domestic and commercial consumers, in a bid to avoid wastage of water. Supply of water from tankers has also become more expensive. This comes into effect from April 1.
The State registers loss of around 40 per cent potable water by way of wastage every day.
As per the notification, the domestic consumers will have to pay Rs 5 per cubic metre of water for consumption between 15 and 25 cubic metres. The previous rate was Rs 2.50 for the same amount of water consumed.
Between 25 and 50 cubic metres, consumers would be charged Rs 10 per cubic metre as against Rs 5 and above 50 cubic metre Rs 15 per cubic metre.
For commercial consumers, small hotels and restaurants will have to pay Rs 20 per cubic metre for the first 80 cubic metres of water consumption, while those using water above 80 cubic metres would be charged Rs 25 per cubic metre. The minimum charges have been fixed at Rs 200 per month.
Industries and hotels under the small, medium and large scale will be charged Rs 30 per cubic metre as a flat rate. Other minimum charges have been fixed at Rs 300 per month.
The tax on supply of water through tankers has also been hiked from existing Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per tanker.
