Water charges increased to the price of a bun; so why this worry? - Minister Hakeem

Water charges increased to the price of a bun; so why this worry? - Minister Hakeem

The President has made a decision to scrap off the decision to increase the tariff on water by 30% as proposed by the last budget because of criticism which has cropped up in that connection. According to the opinion of the Minister of Water Supplywhat he had said is that the said price increase is not
that much and it is something like paying extra to buy a bun. He had mentioned this yesterday (16) when attending a news briefing about informing cabinet decisions. 

"By this time the Water Board is not an institution which is at a loss. But if there is no change effected in water charges, it would result in a loss of Rs. 9 billion by next year. To supply 15000 litres, a sum of Rs. 310 has to be expended. The revision of charges has made it Rs. 540. Taking into account this increase, it is only a meagre sum of Rs. 18 that has been increased for a day. That increase is lesser than spending for a cigarette and a bun. This amendment was enforced thinking that it is justified to charge a sum of Rs. 540 for delivering 15000 litres of purified water to the doorstep". This new amendment has been brought under discussion at the cabinet meeting and it is expected to arrive at a solution after appointing a three-member committee.