Water tariff in Rajasthan poised for a steep hike
Rajendra Bora
Jaipur.The water rates in Rajasthan are poised to go up steeply if the new draft of State’s Water Policy is adopted and implemented in letter and spirit.
The new Policy being vigorously pursued by the Gehlot Government calls for “rationalization of Operation and Maintenance charges” by introducing “an effective differential water tariff” which will go “progressively upward towards full cost of operation and maintenance”.
The Draft Policy document proposes to charge a “three or four stepped water tariff” with the highest rate for excessive use of water for different uses including agricultural, industrial, commercial and municipal purposes.
The idea behind the stepped water tariff is to use the higher rates as a “strong disincentive” for “profligate water usages”
“This stepped water tariff will be set to ensure magnitude difference in water rates between lowest and highest rates”, the Draft Policy says adding that “the first stepped rate of relatively cheap water will be common to all water users”.
Although the draft policy does not quantify the water uses by consumers for setting lowest or what it termed as “cheap rate” but if the chart of water usage in urban and lower areas given in the draft policy is any indication use above 120 Liters Per Capita Per Day (LPCD) in Metro or Mega cities, 100 LPCD in other cities and towns would attract progressively higher water tariff.
Similarly the draft policy suggest usage of more than the benchmark of 70 LPCD in rural desert areas and 60 LPCD in other rural areas may attract hike in water rates.
The Policy suggest preparation of legal framework by ensuring participation of all stakeholders for efficient water management of water resources as “it has become increasingly difficult to mange the water resources by the Government on its own”.
(The story published in February 19,2010 issue of The Hindustan Times)
Jaipur.The water rates in Rajasthan are poised to go up steeply if the new draft of State’s Water Policy is adopted and implemented in letter and spirit.
The new Policy being vigorously pursued by the Gehlot Government calls for “rationalization of Operation and Maintenance charges” by introducing “an effective differential water tariff” which will go “progressively upward towards full cost of operation and maintenance”.
The Draft Policy document proposes to charge a “three or four stepped water tariff” with the highest rate for excessive use of water for different uses including agricultural, industrial, commercial and municipal purposes.
The idea behind the stepped water tariff is to use the higher rates as a “strong disincentive” for “profligate water usages”
“This stepped water tariff will be set to ensure magnitude difference in water rates between lowest and highest rates”, the Draft Policy says adding that “the first stepped rate of relatively cheap water will be common to all water users”.
Although the draft policy does not quantify the water uses by consumers for setting lowest or what it termed as “cheap rate” but if the chart of water usage in urban and lower areas given in the draft policy is any indication use above 120 Liters Per Capita Per Day (LPCD) in Metro or Mega cities, 100 LPCD in other cities and towns would attract progressively higher water tariff.
Similarly the draft policy suggest usage of more than the benchmark of 70 LPCD in rural desert areas and 60 LPCD in other rural areas may attract hike in water rates.
The Policy suggest preparation of legal framework by ensuring participation of all stakeholders for efficient water management of water resources as “it has become increasingly difficult to mange the water resources by the Government on its own”.
(The story published in February 19,2010 issue of The Hindustan Times)
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