‘Jalamrutha’ conservation scheme inaugurated

Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that there is a need to fix tariff for drinking water.

Addressing the gathering at an event to mark the inauguration of Jalamrutha scheme, here, Shivakumar said, “People spend at least Rs 25 for milk. They should understand the importance of water. The tariff can be Rs 50 or Rs 25. Every household should be charged for water usage. This will curb water theft and pilferage. The officials should initiate a process to fix tariff after Parliamentary elections,” he suggested.

The minister hinted at fixing the water tariff in rural areas too.

Jalamrutha is a community-driven movement for water conservation in the state, initiated by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

The state government has declared 2019 as the Year of Water. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy administered an oath on water conservation to the citizens and the officials.

The minister hinted at fixing the water tariff in rural areas too.

“About 41% of the state’s population is living in urban areas. The cities require a huge volume of water to meet the demand. Bengaluru North is growing at a rapid pace. The region sees burgeoning water consumption while the resources are less. There is no option but to bring Yettinahole water through the canal to meet
the water demands. We have to initiate measures to curb water theft and pilferage,” the minister said.

The state government has sanctioned a grant of Rs 500 crore for the implementation of Jalamurtha scheme. Under the scheme, the government aims to rejuvenate 14,000 waterbodies and building 12,000 check-dams in next two years.