PCMC industries will have to pay more charges for water from December 1
MIDC hikes supply rates by 35%; industry demands facility from civic body
After an increase in power tariff, industrial units will now have to pay more for water as Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has introduced 35% hike in water charges with effect from December 1.
The corporation has increased charges by Rs7 per cubic metre of water. Already, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has increased electricity charges by 2.5 times. As MSEDCL is recovering charges from MIDC with new rates, the latter has decided to increase water charges.
MIDC has received Rs51.32 crore from water bills this year and increase in rate will boost its revenue.Already affected by global economic slowdown, the hike in power charges and water rates is another blow for these industries.
MIDC has decided to increase industrial water rates by 35% and residential water charges by 73% making it the biggest hike in water charges till date. MIDC supplies water to the industrial areas of Pimpri, Chinchwad, Bhosari, Dehuroad, Kasarwadi, Phugewadi, Nigdi, Dapodi, Dighi, Talawade, Chakan and Dehuroad and covers over 2,300 consumers.
The corporation supplies 120 MLD water to Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial areas. The industries association has demanded that as Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) collects tax from industries, it should provide water in average rates.
Pimpri Chinchwad Small-Scale Industries Association president Nitin Bankar said, “It will be an excess burden on industries as we are facing slowdown. It shows the state government’s apathy towards us. We want water from PCMC not from MIDC.”puneinbox@dnaindia.net
Water rates (per cubic metre) Earlier Now Industrial Rs21.50 Rs28.50 Residential Rs8.25 Rs14.25Outside industrial area Rs32.25 Rs42.75