Discussion on water tax hike

SEVERAL ISSUES including the water tax hike to Rs 160 per month and developmental works under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would come up for the discussion during the Bhopal Municipal Corporation?s general council meeting on July 27.

SEVERAL ISSUES including the water tax hike to Rs 160 per month and developmental works under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would come up for the discussion during the Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s general council meeting on July 27.

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Though the agenda for the general council meeting includes the water tax hike proposal, the Bharatiya Janata Party corporators are reluctant to approve the water tariff increase. In 66-member BMC general council, the BJP is in majority with 40-members.

The BJP members are saying that they could consider the proposal only after the recommendation of mayor-in-council (MiC). The MiC had forwarded this proposal to the BMC council on Wednesday without any recommendation.

In the agenda issued today, the proposals of slum rehabilitation worth Rs 30 crore were also included. The slum rehabilitation work is to be taken up under the JNNURM. The slums from Shyam Nagar, Shabri Nagar, Roshanpura are to be rehabilitated under the first phase of rehabilitation.

The proposal related to the water connection charges would also be discussed in the BMC council meet. It is proposed that the water connection charge for half-inch connection would be reduced to Rs 1000 from present Rs 3000. The water connection charge for the government quarters is also proposed to be reduced to Rs 500 per connection. The proposal to include Narmada Water Supply Scheme in the JNNURM would also be discussed.

The BMC would also propose to take loan to arrange the funds of its share under the JNNURM. The proposal related to Astroturf change in Aishbagh was also included in the agenda.