Thiruvananthapuram: It is a double slap to the people of Kerala as the government plans to raise the price of water supply close on the heels of a hike in electricity charges. The Water Authority claims that a rise in electricity prices will burden them more and they have no choice but to pass it on to the customers.
The Water Authority will calculate the extra cost and will approach the government to raise the charge of water supply.
The people of Kerala are already burdened by the hike in electricity prices and the government is facing a huge backlash from every nook and corner of the State. The huge increase in electricity prices is what forced the Water Authority to think about increasing the price of water supply.
Currently, the Water Authority is paying close to Rs. 23 crore to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). This amount will rise in tandem to the hike in electricity prices. The Water Authority is planning to shift the extra cost to the customers.
Meanwhile, the hike in electricity prices and now water price is a body blow to those who are still reeling under the consequences of the 2018 floods in Kerala. The people are wondering if different government departments are competing with each other to raise the price of goods and services.
The government last hiked the price of water in 2014. The price of 15 kg water was raised from Rs. 4 to Rs. 6.
