Change in mindset to pay water tax need of the hour

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

There has been a longstanding demand for the city to supply water every one or two days. Despite the municipal corporation's desire, it is still unable to provide adequate water to the city. Even today, the municipal corporation is not capable of bringing enough water from Jayakwadi Dam to meet the city's needs. While the water demand continues to rise, citizens seem to be turning away from paying the water tax. In the current financial year, only Rs 22.47 crore have been collected as water tax, while the municipal corporation had expected to collect Rs 100 crore.

Shortfall of demand

The city requires 220 MLD of water daily, but in reality, only 130 to 140 MLD of water can be supplied. Some areas in the city receive water every sixth day, while others get it only on the 12th day. During summer, the demand for water increases fourfold, but the supply remains insufficient. As a result, there is significant public anger towards the municipal corporation.

Currently, the civic body has to spend at least Rs 100 crore annually on the water supply, but the revenue earned from water tax is less than 20 per cent of this amount. Every year, the water supply faces a shortfall of at least Rs 80 to 90 crore.

Poor water tax collection

Earlier, the municipal corporation's water tax was Rs 4,050, which led to complaints that no other city in the state collected such a high amount. As a result, four years ago, the civic body reduced the water tax by 50 pc, bringing it down to Rs 2,025. Despite this reduction, the number of people paying the water tax remains very low.

Zonewise collection figures of water tax

Zone Number -- Collection

1– Rs 3.33 crore

2– Rs 1.76 crore

3– Rs 0.99 crore

4– Rs 3.30 crore

5– Rs 2.80 crore

6– Rs 2.52 crore

7– Rs 3.75 crore

8– Rs 0.29 crore

9– Rs 3.82 crore

Total – Rs 22.47 crore