Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has been facing financial crisis for a long time. To overcome this, the corporation will increase the sewerage cess from 20% to 30%, which will lead to an additional recovery of Rs 11 crore annually. The general house meeting of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is today, for which the corporation has finalized the supplementary agenda. Three-four issues have been placed in it.
Financial burden will increase on the public
Preparations are being made to provide temporary water connections to those living outside Laldora, while the second proposal will put an additional financial burden on the city residents. Due to the poor financial condition of the Municipal Corporation, an agenda has been included to increase the sewerage cess from 20% to 30% to increase the revenue.
Now 30% of the water bill of residential buildings in the entire city and 30% of the water consumption bill for hotels, commercial buildings, institutions and other categories will also be taken as sewerage cess. With this increase, the Municipal Corporation will get additional revenue of about Rs 11 crore every year. The administration had issued a notification in 2023 reducing the sewerage cess from 30% to 25%. It was reduced to 20% for the remaining period of the year 2023-24.
Temporary water connections will be available outside Laldora
Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has already sent a proposal to the administration to provide temporary water connections to those living outside Laldora in 22 villages, but it has not been approved yet. Objection was raised that these are illegal constructions, so the corporation has no right to give water connection to these people.
However, there are 2,563 such families who arrange water for drinking and other needs every day. If the corporation gives them temporary connection, it will generate additional revenue of about Rs 3 crore. This issue was raised by Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla in the Administrator’s Advisory Council. Just two days ago, MP Manish Tiwari had also demanded from the administrator that these families should be given water connections.
However, to get a temporary connection, the concerned family will have to fulfill the following conditions:
1. Documents of ownership registry of the plot, GPA, sub-GPA will have to be submitted.
2. One time construction charge will have to be paid.
3. Affidavit will have to be given regarding sewer line or septic pit.
