PONDA: Already burdened with the skyrocketing fuel prices, domestic and commercial consumers were shocked to receive hefty water bills as the State government hiked the tariff of the most essential commodity.
However, following complaints from domestic consumers of receiving hefty bills, the officials said, “The government has not increased the water tariff. Some people received bills after five months due to COVID pandemic and technical problems.”
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Viraj Sapre, a social worker said, “When compared to the old tariff it is found that there is a sharp hike in the new rates which has hit the common man hard as they have received hefty bills.”
He alleged that the government has increased the rates of essential commodities including petrol, diesel, LPG and has now hiked the water tariff exorbitantly.
“It will be difficult for the common man to survive due to rising costs and so government should rethink on water bill hike,” he demanded.
A Curti resident complained that the amount mentioned in the bill is Rs 1,500 for 84 days.
He said, “Though we received bills after four-five months, they are exorbitant.”
Some locals said, “On an average, we received a monthly bill of Rs 100 and for five months we expected a bill of Rs 500. However, we were shocked to receive a bill of Rs 800.”
The locals demanded that the government should issue water bills on a monthly basis.
Some locals complained that the government has hiked the tariff by nearly 75 per cent including the meter rent.
People across Ponda complained of receiving bills almost after four to five months and that too very high. The bill amount ranged from Rs 800 to Rs 3,000 with some even receiving a bill of Rs 4,500.
However, the PWD officials said, “The bills are not exorbitant but the amount charged is according to their consumption. The government had increased the water tariff in October.”
