LAHORE: Vice Chairman Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Imtiaz Mehmood has said that cut in industrial water tariff is under consideration. The ground water level in Lahore is dropping by the ratio of 1 meter per annum and the city is under a great danger of water scarcity.
The business community of Lahore and common people should start taking this threat seriously and stop misusing the precious drinking water resources. He stated this while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Managing Director WASA Zahid Aziz and LCCI office-bearers were also present on the occasion.
The Vice Chairman said tariff difference in different cities of Punjab is due to water quality. Like Lahore, water quality is not good in Faisalabad, adding this is the reason of high tariffs of water in Lahore.
He said the WASA is preparing to set up a help desk at the LCCI, adding that lack of information creates harassment but this desk will improve the coordination between the LCCI and the WASA.
Imtiaz Mehmood said that the WASA in collaboration with market committees will identify and work for de-silting of the sewage systems. He also urged the market association to start an awareness campaign among the traders to avoid throwing solid waste into gutters to avoid early blockage of the sewage system.
He said the industry which was not operating during pandemic lockdown should provide its electricity bill to confirm its closure so that the WASA waves off their water bills.
Speaking about the tariff issues, the Vice Chairman assured that if the industry is using non-drinking water, the WASA is ready to revise their water tariff and is also ready to make installments of bills.
President LCCI Mian Tariq Misbah said the WASA has matchlessly increased water tariff for industrial and commercial users. It has fixed Rs100,000 per month and Rs50,000 per month, respectively, for extracting ground water through tube-well of 1 cusec and 1/2 cusec for industrial and commercial consumer in Lahore. He said this tariff is extremely high as compared to other cities of Punjab like Faisalabad and Multan etc. The LCCI recommends that the water tariff across all cities should be uniformed.
Mian Tariq Misbah said the industry is facing stiff economic challenges due to high cost of doing business including high energy tariff, multiple taxes and various other challenges, adding the approach of fixation of water charges will bring more challenges for the industrial sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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