NewsKarnataka-Bangalore
Bangalore : Though a meeting convened by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Wednesday May 14 had decided to increase the water tariff, the CM has now decided to hold back the decision.
BWSSB chairperson MS Ravishankar stated that during 2013-14, the board’s revenue was Rs. 756 crore. Though this is Rs. 176 crore more than the revenue during 2012-13, BWSSB continued to incur a loss of around Rs. 220 crore as the expenditure was put at Rs. 976 crore.
MS Ravishankar convinced that the water tariff was hiked in 2002. In 2005, there was revision in a few places. Thereafter, there has been no revision in tariff. Due to this, the financial burden on BWSSB has increased.
Ravishankar said that BWSSB will ensure that people are not burdened too much however Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed the board to go slow on the proposal and has directed to put a hold on it for the coming month.
They said that with the recent hike in the fares of buses run by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, and power tariff and toll, the common man is already burdened.
The Chief Minister has asked the board to go slow on the hike proposal also due to increasing criticism from the opposition parties and the common man.
