Illegal water connection to attract heavy penalty

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 10

While rationalising water and sewerage tariffs in the municipalities across the state from September 1, the Urban Local Bodies has decided to impose heavy penalties on illegal water and sewerage connections.

According to an order issued by Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, for domestic supply, a tariff of Rs 2.5 per kilolitre has been decided for up to 10 kilolitres of consumption, while the rate would be Rs 5 per kilolitre for 10-20 kilolitres.

While Rs 8 per kilolitre would be the new rate for the monthly consumption from 20-30 kilolitres, Rs 10 per kilolitre would be the new rate for consumption above 30 kilolitres. The misuse of domestic connection for commercial use would attract a penalty of Rs 15 per kilolitre (for metered connection) while Rs 1,000 per month would be charged for unmetered supply.

The institutions would get water supply at the rate of Rs 10 per kilolitre, while the industrial/commercial users would have to shell out Rs 15 per kilolitre.

The sewerage charges for all categories of consumers have been pegged at 20 per cent of the water bill.

The non-refundable connection fee, to be paid one-time for new domestic connection, has been fixed at Rs 1,000, while it would be Rs 500 for sewerage connection. It would Rs 5,000 for industrial/commercial/institutional connection.

“No unmetered water supply connection shall be allowed in the institutional/commercial/industrial establishments. All existing water supply unmetered connection shall be converted into metered ones by the occupants in a period of three months from the date of order otherwise the rate of bill shall be minimum of Rs 2,000 per month,” the order said.

It further said: “If any unauthorised water or sewerage connection is detected by the municipality, the same shall be disconnected immediately and a penalty of Rs 2,000 for domestic connection and Rs 5,000 for institutional/commercial/industrial connections shall be imposed on the consumers.”