The Hindu : CM defends BWSSB charges

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

CM defends BWSSB charges

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore July 11. The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, on Thursday admitted in the Legislative Council that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) did not have any right to collect minimum charges of Rs. 60 from each consumer who used less than 15,000 litres, or if the board failed to supply that quantity of water to him.

Reacting to question from P. Ramiah (nominated member) during Question Hour, Mr. Krishna said that, however, consumers had to pay minimum charges even under such circumstances, as the board maintained a huge infrastructure for supply of water and treatment of sewage.

Mr. Krishna said the tariff was worked out on "no loss, no profit" basis, and on the basis of power and establishment charges, operating and maintenance cost, loan repayment including interest, depreciation, cost of subsidised water supplied to the poor, part cost recovery from big domestic consumers, and high rates for non-domestic sectors to subsidise supply to the lower end domestic customers.

There were 2,81,106 domestic consumers, of whom 1,13,596 consumed less than 15,000 litres a month, who paid minimum charges. The O and M expenditure, including power and establishment charges, was more than Rs. 305 crore a year. The average domestic consumption was 67,15,410 kl. a month.

The Chief Minister said the minimum monthly cost per domestic connection worked out to Rs. 358.33 per kl. However, due to cross subsidy by high-end users and the non-domestic sector, the board was charging only Rs. 115 per connection as minimum charges, which was reasonable.

He said that the BWSSB was not receiving government subsidy.

Mr. Krishna informed M.R. Tanga (BJP) that the Government was implementing recommendations and suggestions made in the reports submitted by various commissions and committees, such as task forces, as and when it was felt necessary.

He said that they were weighty recommendations and could not be implemented in one go.

About the task forces, he said several States, including West Bengal, had lauded task forces for helping improve governance.

The chief ministers who attended the National Development Council had appreciated it, he added.

More playgrounds

The Chief Minister told Ramachandra Gowda (BJP) that he would direct the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to spend an additional Rs. 1 crore for building more playgrounds in the City. But he ruled out allowing roads in private layouts for children to play by imposing restrictions on vehicle movement.

Mr. Krishna informed Anna Vinayachandra (BJP) there was a proposal to set up an underground drainage and sewage treatment plant at Sullia at a cost of Rs. 2.87 crore. He said that since the Sullia Town Panchayat had agreed to bear its share of expenses, funds could be arranged as per the approved funding pattern, and the works would be executed.

Better police stations

The Home Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge, told Vimala Gowda (BJP) that instead of setting up more stations, 87 police stations in Bangalore would be upgraded by doubling their strength.

He said a decision would be taken at the next Cabinet meeting on recruiting police personnel, including constables, as all the legal hurdles had been cleared.

Security advisor

Mr. Kharge told Shashil G. Namoshi (BJP) that the former DGP, T. Srinivasulu, was appointed security advisor to coordinate the efforts of the Special Task Force engaged in the hunt for the forest brigand, Veerappan, as the Tamil Nadu Government had appointed its former DGP, I. Dawaram, for similar operations.

Defending the appointment, he said the Gujarat Government had appointed the former DGP, K.P.S. Gill, to bring normality to that State.

The contract of Mr. Srinivasulu would not be extended if there were no results, he added.

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