- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The residents of Bengaluru are likely to face an extra financial burden due to increased charges of water, The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is anticipated to increase the city’s water tariff by 1 paisa per litre, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Wednesday.
The Deputy CM defended the decision, saying that the increased tariff was unavoidable amid the financial crunch. "We have no choice but to raise the tariff by one paisa or even half a paisa per litre. However, I have directed that the hike be minimized for economically weaker sections. Small households will not be affected," he assured.
Shivakumar revealed that BWSSB is facing a loss of Rs 1,000 crore. "For the next phase of funding, we need to show financial institutions like JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) that we are not operating as a charity. Without this, securing loans will be difficult," he added.
The opposition party in the state, the BJP, has launched a statewide protest accusing the state government of increasing financial burdens on citizens. The opposition party has launched a scathing attack on the government, opposing not only the proposed water tariff hike but also recent increases in essential commodities and services, including milk and diesel prices, power tariffs, and public transport fares.
Hitting back at the BJP, Shivakumar called their protest politically motivated. He criticized them for ignoring the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (KERC) decision to reduce tariffs for certain consumer categories.
"Shouldn’t we support our farmers? Instead of protesting, let the BJP-led central government reduce the costs of cattle fodder, petrol, and diesel to benefit farmers. Their opposition proves they are anti-farmer,” The Deputy CM said as he defended the milk price hike.
On the issue of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) imposing a user fee for solid waste management, Shivakumar said that the action was in line with the directive issued by the central government. "The BJP government had introduced this in 2022 at an excessively high rate. In fact, I have reduced it. The department has been asked to issue a clarification through an official press statement," he added.
