KATHMANDU, Dec 9 – Water Tariff Fixation Commission is likely to hike water tariff by 10 to 30 per cent this week, even as the Kathmandu Valley continues to face a perennial shortage of water. Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the public-private partnership utility responsible for the distribution of piped water in the Valley, had proposed hikes in water tariff last week.
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“The proposed hike does injustice to the urban poor. This will force them to pay three times more tariff than the rich or those who have private taps,” chief executive director of NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation, Prakash Amatya, said.
“If the proposed tariff takes effect, the community tap users will have to pay Rs 205.80 for consuming 10,000 litres of water. This includes sewarage charge.
On the other hand, private tap owners will have to pay only Rs. 82.50 for consuming 10,000 litres. Urban poor’s right to water will be in jeopardy if the commission gives a go-ahead to the proposed water tariff hike,” he said.
Earlier, a KUKL official claimed the proposed hike tariff was in line with recommendation of Asian Development Bank (ADB), the main donor for Melamchi Water Supply project. This time, however, no one was available for comment on the proposed water tariff hike.
