THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As in the case of KSRTC, Water Authority is also going through financial crunch, State finance minister Thomas Isaac has said in between his budget presentation.

The annual expense of Water Authority is Rs 1280 crore and its income is Rs 554 crore.

The non-plan grant given by the government to the department is Rs 335 crore while the annual deficit now is Rs 386 core.  In the budget it is said that this gap is filled by delaying Current bill and bill for contractors. A big quantity of water is getting leaked. Only 55 per cent is recorded in the metre. For contractors Rs 300 crore is still due. In the water authority also letter of credit arrangements will be made and Bill discounting scheme will be implemented under government guarantee.

The minister said that revamping of water authority is necessary.
1)    Expense of providing water in medical colleges and Sabarimala is Rs 80 crore.
2)    Rs 75 crore for Japan drinking water
3)    Rs 120 crore for sewage projects in six corporations and Alappuzha
4)    Rs Five crore for drought relief measures
5)    Rs 20 crore for well re-charging
6)    Rs 10 crore for revival of Jalanidhi
7)    Water Authority will begin innovation zone for distribution of drinking water and disposal of waste water