PONDA: The PWD had issued notice for charging semi- domestic tariff on water bills for rented rooms from next month, causing confusion and panic among house owners from the weaker sections of the society who survive by letting out their rooms.
They are confused whether to apply for the semi-domestic scheme or domestic scheme with separate house number for each of their rented rooms given on single water connection.
They fear of losing income from rent due to the new scheme. One widowed landlady said she doesn’t have any job and earns Rs 5000 per month by renting two rooms of her house.
She said she is confused over scheme and fears double taxes due to it. She said she pays one month rent to panchayat every year and fears further reduction in her income.
As per the scheme, if a house owner renting a room opts for semi-domestic scheme, then they will have to pay Rs 300 as monthly tariff for each rented room, beside regular monthly bill. The house owners, who pay one month rent as annual tax to the panchayat for renting room, feel it would be a double whammy for them, as already they pay yearly one month’s rent as tax.
One house owner said that chances are that the tenant will have to bear the cost as landlords are likely to pass burden on them.
The PWD has also given another option to house owners, which is giving separate house numbers to each of their rented rooms to avail domestic rates. PWD sources said if they avail separate house numbers for each of their rented rooms, their bill on single water connection will be bifurcated according to number of rented rooms.
However, PWD sources clarified they don’t have any idea about panchayat charging yearly one month’s rent as tax for each rented room, after applying for separate numbers.
However, the house owners fear once the panchayat gives them separate number for each house, they will have to pay separate annual rent for their rented rooms to the panchayat as against the existing system, in which they are paying only one month rent to panchayat, irrespective of number of rooms let out.
The house owners said both panchayat and the PWD should clarify the issue so as to avoid confusion and chances of double taxation.