Ratnagiri council holds domestic water charges, no hike approved at general body meeting

There is relief for residents of Ratnagiri city, as the municipal council has decided not to raise water charges for domestic use. The proposal was passed unanimously at the general body meeting held in the council hall on Thursday.

The meeting discussed in detail how to reduce the losses in the city's water supply. Chairman Nimesh Nair proposed that the water supply scheme be brought at least to a "no profit, no loss" footing. He said the council spends about Rs 9 crore a year on water supply, while water charges bring in only Rs 4 crore.

Because of this wide gap between expenditure and income, a rise in the rates had become necessary, and a proposal for an increase had come before the administration. However, to give ordinary residents financial relief, the meeting unanimously passed a proposal that there be no increase in domestic water charges.

The meeting also took decisions on plots in the council's small-scale industries colony. An important proposal was approved to revalue these plots when their lease terms are extended. Carrying forward an issue from the previous meeting, BJP whip Raju Todankar asked further questions about the condition of plots on which no industry has been started. Property department official Vijay Kadam said some plot holders have submitted written applications seeking a one-year extension.

A very important proposal was also approved to immediately suspend permissions given for one-inch tap connections for building construction and servicing ramps. The administration's attention was also drawn to construction without permission.

Councillor Sayli Patil advised the administration to take special care, while drawing water from the lake, that the water level in nearby wells is not adversely affected. Council president Shilpa Surve immediately accepted this public-interest suggestion from the councillors and issued orders to the department concerned.

Several prominent councillors took part in the discussion, including Amit Vilankar, Suhel Mukadam, Rajan Shetye, Medha Kulkarni and vice-president Sameer Tivrekar. Issues taken up at the meeting included several questions on the city's development, the water supply accounts and curbs on unauthorised construction.