People's Democracy

DELHI

CPI(M) Assails Water Rates Hike

Alleges World Bank Pressure

THE Delhi state committee of the CPI(M), strongly condemned the decision of massive increase in the rates of water by the Sheila Dikshit government. In a statement issued on December 1, the Party called upon the people to resolutely oppose this decision. It felt that this hike will tremendously increase the burden on the common people, particularly the poor and working class of Delhi.

Till now the poor used to pay Rs 30 for consumption of upto 20 kilolitres which has now been increased to Rs 117. This is an increase of almost 400 per cent! Now even for consumption of upto 6 kilolitres, the amount to be paid would be Rs 75.

This rise in water charges has been taken in order to privatise the water supply and sewerage system on the basis of a World Bank Report, alleged the CPI(M).

Saying that the people of Delhi have been facing the brunt of continuously rising prices, the CPI(M) felt this increase in the water charges amounts to heaping further burdens on them. The decision of the Delhi government to hike water rates is anti-people and the people of Delhi will not tolerate it, asserted the Party. (INN)