GURUGRAM: Huda may scale back the "exorbitant" hike in water and sewer charges which was announced in June, sources informed TOI on Monday. The development comes after RWA groups in the city protested against the 250% hike.
Though Huda officials claimed to have received no official communique, Gurgaon MLA Umesh Aggarwal told TOI the hike would be scaled back. "There may not be any official word, as of now, but it will be revised and new rates will be announced," he said.
A delegation led by Dinesh Vashishta, president, RWA of sectors 3, 6 and 5, had been pursuing the issue with the deputy commissioner and members of the legislative assembly. Vashishta said according to Aggarwal, chief minister Khattar has directed Huda to revise the tariff rates. The Gurgaon MLA had assured residents that the rates would be revised after the MCG elections.
According to Bhoop Singh, executive engineer, Huda, they've not received an official letter on revising tariff yet. TOI also contacted Huda administrator Yashpal Yadav who said he had no "confirmation" on the issue.
In July, Huda raised water fee from Rs273 to Rs800 per 100 kilolitres. Drainage upkeep charge, a part of water bills, was also hiked by 25%.
In August, nearly 239 RWA presidents approached deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh after realising water bill had hiked by 250%.
Vashishta said, "I used to get water bills of Rs700-800, every month. In July, amount went up to Rs3,500. How can residents pay such hefty amount every month?" He added, "We thought the hike will be 5, 10 or 15 per cent, but not this much."
Huda has been justifying hike, citing recurring losses. "We're running into losses every month," a senior official said. "We make arrangement for water for the entire city. We cannot run into losses like this."
Though Huda officials claimed to have received no official communique, Gurgaon MLA Umesh Aggarwal told TOI the hike would be scaled back. "There may not be any official word, as of now, but it will be revised and new rates will be announced," he said.
A delegation led by Dinesh Vashishta, president, RWA of sectors 3, 6 and 5, had been pursuing the issue with the deputy commissioner and members of the legislative assembly. Vashishta said according to Aggarwal, chief minister Khattar has directed Huda to revise the tariff rates. The Gurgaon MLA had assured residents that the rates would be revised after the MCG elections.
According to Bhoop Singh, executive engineer, Huda, they've not received an official letter on revising tariff yet. TOI also contacted Huda administrator Yashpal Yadav who said he had no "confirmation" on the issue.
In July, Huda raised water fee from Rs273 to Rs800 per 100 kilolitres. Drainage upkeep charge, a part of water bills, was also hiked by 25%.
In August, nearly 239 RWA presidents approached deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh after realising water bill had hiked by 250%.
Vashishta said, "I used to get water bills of Rs700-800, every month. In July, amount went up to Rs3,500. How can residents pay such hefty amount every month?" He added, "We thought the hike will be 5, 10 or 15 per cent, but not this much."
Huda has been justifying hike, citing recurring losses. "We're running into losses every month," a senior official said. "We make arrangement for water for the entire city. We cannot run into losses like this."
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