With the persistent loss incurred due to cheap supply of water, Noida Authority Jal Department today decided to hike water and sewer tariffs amid protests over the rise.
While residents are opposing the hike, which will be effective from July 1, authority officers claim tariff was still cheaper than Delhi Jal Board water tariff.
"Water and sewer rates were hiked in April 2002 and since then there was no hike. The maintenance and supply cost however kept on increasing. In financial year 2012-13 total receipts from water charges were Rs 34.92 crore while expenditure was Rs 75.03 crore which is almost 100 per cent more than income," Rama Raman, Noida Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said.
The huge loss necessitated the hike in tariff. At 179th board meeting held on May 27 board gave approval for proportionate hike, Raman said.
Though, for rural area and villages approved hike is just 25 per cent which is least hike, he said, adding for MIG, HIG and Duplex houses greater than 200 square meter, hike is 75 per cent.
"Even after the hike, Noida water charges are five times less than Delhi Jal Board in respect of large plots and 13 times less in respect of small plots. This clearly shows that Noida water and sewer charges are still minimal," Raman said.
"In current financial year the hiked tariff is expected to generate Rs 30 crore while expenditure is expected to be more than double. The loss will be adjusted from other heads," he said.
