Bansal flays hike in water testing charges

Chandigarh, January 15

Former Union Minister and ex-MP Pawan Kumar Bansal has flayed the 300 per cent hike in water testing charges in the city.

In a statement today, Bansal said there were frequent complaints of residents receiving dirty water. Getting it tested would further burden residents with the exorbitant charge fixed for the purpose, he said. “The authorities are not only shirking their responsibility but also burdening people with an unreasonable levy,” he added.

Bansal said a firm engaged for paid parking lots first increased the fee from Rs 5 to Rs 10 and then doubled it to Rs 20. The Congress leader said the MC also steeply hiked the house tax rates.

Bansal alleged that while the UT and the MC failed to maintain standards of services, they continue to burden residents so as to make up for financial mismanagement. — TNS