Tariff surge skyrockets water costs

Consumer rights group to challenge decision as citizens protest

RAWALPINDI:

The bills of water consumers in the garrison city have gone up multifold in another blow to the embattled residents of Rawalpindi who are already facing unparalleled inflation like people elsewhere in Pakistan. The increase approved by the Punjab government comes in the final hours of the current setup led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of 13 parties. It was formed in September 2020 and came to power following the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in April last year.

Since then, energy and food prices have increase drastically as the country remained on the precipice of default. According to the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), the hike is the first since 2009. Documents suggest that the decision to increase rates was taken on June 25 with the special approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The increase went into effect on July 1.

However, the exact details of the hike were not kept secret. It was only revealed after the price change went into effect after a decision on August 5 after it was approved in a meeting of the Rawalpindi Development Authority. The latest increase comes with an ultimatum to consumers that their connections would be cut off after August 31 if they do not clear the dues in line with the increase. It has resulted in protests by the residents while rights group including those for safeguarding the rights of consumers said they would challenge the price hike in court.

Residential slabs

As a result of the recent increase, the residents of plots of one to three marla will pay water charges of Rs203 and sewerage charges of Rs147 for a total bill of Rs350. Previously, it was Rs236.

In the case of up to five marla plots, the water charges increase to Rs290 and sewerage to Rs210 for a total bill Rs500. Earlier, it was Rs280. For plots of up to seven marla, water charges are Rs870 and sewerage charge Rs630 for a bill of Rs1,500. Previously, it was Rs350. This is a more than 300 per cent increase. In case where the plot is up to 10 marla, water charges are Rs1,160 and sewerage charges Rs 840, with the total bill Rs2,000. It was Rs550 earlier. The charges increase to Rs1,450 for water and Rs1,050 for sewerage for a bill of Rs2,500 when the plot is up to 15 marla.

For one kanal, which is equal to 20 marla, or one-eight of an acre, water charges were raised to Rs2,320 and sewerage to Rs1680, with the total bill Rs4,000. In plots of up to two kanal, water charges stand at Rs2,900, sewerage at Rs2,100 with the total monthly bill Rs5,000. For properties of more than 40 marla, the charges are Rs3,480 for water, Rs2,570 for sewerage, with the total bill at Rs6,000 per month.

Commercial billing

Among commercial bills, the bills have been divided into multiple categories starting from A1 where water charges are Rs580, sewerage Rs420, and total monthly bill Rs1,000. For the A category, water charges are Rs1,889, sewerage Rs1,368 for a total of Rs3,258. In the B category, water charges are Rs3,100 and sewerage Rs2,244 for a bill of Rs5,345.