After Petrol And Diesel, Water Tariff Go Up In Bengaluru? Deputy CM Shivakumar Drops Big Hint

Bengaluru: Days after increasing petrol and diesel prices, the Congress-led Karnataka government is ready to deliver another blow to the common people. Though an official confirmation is still awaited, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has strongly hinted at a hike in water tariffs in Bengaluru, citing the financial losses currently faced by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). This increase in water charges is expected to impact residents, adding to their financial burden amidst already rising living costs. 

“The water tariff has not been increased in Bengaluru in the last 10 years. There has been a great loss. We have to take on new projects. No bank is coming forward to finance the BWSSB. Every year we suffer a big loss. The financing companies are saying that we are only politicising the issues but not trying to at least break the company. I have asked the officials to examine the issue. We will put the facts in the public domain and then we will take the decision,” DK Shivakumar reportedly said. 

According to reports, the BBMP proposed a 10 per cent increase in water tariffs for residential buildings and a 15 per cent increase for commercial establishments in 2023. Additionally, the Congress government raised electricity tariffs last year, with energy costs in Karnataka increasing by Rs 2.89 per unit in June 2023.   

Congress administration in Karnataka a 'Khata Khat loot model'

Reacting stronglt to Shivakumar’s statement on the water crisis, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders lambasted the Congress party claiming that their pre-poll promises of freebies and subsidies in the state are now proving problematic. “First electricity, milk & petrol diesel now water tariff to be hiked in Karnataka by Looteri Congress. Congress has looted the state treasury so now it is imposing Rahul Jiziya tax Instead of paying Rs 1 lakh to women it is robbing the farmers, middle class & common man – it’s called Khata Khat loot model,” BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.