Hike nominal: officials

HYDERABAD: Though Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials contend that the water tariff revision is nominal, consumers will be forced to pay 63 per cent more.
The hike was effected calculating an annual enhancement of 10 per cent for the last six years. The minimum monthly bill of Rs 55 has been enhanced to Rs 90 per month. Those using 15 to 25 kilolitres will now have to pay Rs 6 per kl.Those consuming 25 to 500 kl used to be charged Rs 6 per kl.
Now, those consuming 30 to 200 kl will pay Rs 10 per kl. Similarly, the water and sewerage connection charges, which were in vogue since 1997, have been revised abnormally.
These charges are based upon the diameter of the pipeline and area of the residential property. For a plot area of up to 100 square metre, water connection charge was Rs 900 and sewerage connection charge was Rs 250. Now without mentioning the categories, the Water Board has decided to collect Rs 2,500 for an area upto 80 square metre.
For an area between 80 and 300 square metres, the charge is Rs 8,250 and for 300 and 400 square metres, the charge is Rs 16,500. For above 400 square metres, the applicant would have to pay Rs 45,000.
However, Board officials defended the revision stating it was long pending. The managing director said those living in slums would continue to get free supply of water.