Tripura hikes water charges amid ongoing protests

Amidst the state-wide protest against the increase in power tariff, CNG, and PNG prices, the Tripura government has increased water charges and the penalty for regularizing unauthorized individual domestic connections.

According to an order issued by the Tripura Jal Board, following the approval of the 5th Board Meeting held on May 7 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha—who also serves as the Chairman of the Tripura Jal Board—the proposal for the enhancement of water charges and penalties for the regularization of unauthorized domestic connections was incorporated into the meeting minutes.

As per the revised provisions and rates effective from July 1 water charges for individual domestic connections in urban areas (AMC, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayat areas) have been increased from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per month, water charges for commercial connections remain unchanged at Rs 300 per month and the penalty for the regularization of existing unauthorized domestic connections has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per connection.

“All commercial water connections should be meter-based. Any connection other than domestic households will be treated as a commercial connection, and the records are to be cross-checked with AMC registration. All concerned—PWD (DWS), Municipal Commissioner (AMC), Chief Executive Officer (Municipal Council), and Executive Officer (Nagar Panchayat)—are directed to take necessary action accordingly,” the order states.