Bangalore: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the government is facing the inevitability of increasing water tariff in the city of Bangalore in order to save the Water Board.
Replying to a query from BJP member Bharathi Shetty in the Legislative Council, the Chief Minister sarcastically said that the Water Supply Board would sink if the water rate is not hiked.
Pointing out that there has been no revision of water rates since 9 years, the Chief Minister said rates would be revised soon.
On the unauthorised water connections, he said 48 per cent of connections in Bangalore were illegal resulting in losses to the Board. He also informed that a private firm has been awarded contract to identity the illegal water connections and fix meters to the same.
Steps would be taken to cut off all unauthorised connections at the earliest, the CM said.
He further expressed his displeasure over the style of functioning of the Water Board and added only 52 per cent progress is registered in collecting bills. There is a need for a major surgery to the Board, he strongly felt.