CPI(M) slams hike in water charges in Shimla

Local unit of CPI(M) slammed the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government for  10 per cent hike in water rates in Shimla. CPIM Local Committee Secretary Jagat Ram said that the public is already facing the brunt of inflation, in such a situation, increasing the water rates would put additional burden on the  pocket of Shimla residents. Shimla MC and Shimla Jal Parbandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) gave argument for hike that  a MOU had signed with World Bank project, and civic body is bound to increase the rates of water by 10 per cent every year. The party has demanded from the government and the municipal corporation that such conditions should not be fixed in any project which are against the public or  Infringing on the interests of the public. With the World Bank project, the conditions of increasing water rates by 10 p cevery year should be cancel so that the people of Shimla city could be relieved. The previous government waived off the water bills in the rural areas should be extended to urban areas. Increasing the water bills in Shimla by 10 pc every year is a complete injustice to the people of Shimla. The municipal corporation and the government have failed to provide smooth water supply in Shimla city for a long time when the regular supply of water  30 p c sewerage cess is also being collected by Shimla Water Management Company.  Seeking roll back of water charges CPI has demanded that Shimla town should also have water supply system on the lines of villages in the state. The work of water supply in Shimla should be done by the Municipal Corporation and the agreement made with the SJPNL should be cancelled.  The water supply in Shimla should be regularised. If the government does not withdraw the hile in water charges immediately the  party would be forced to agitate against it, Ram demanded.