Source : The Hindu Date : 07.07.2009
Council approves sewerage usage charges
Special Correspondent
| All set to implement the Rs. 377-crore drainage scheme |
COIMBATORE: After a struggle for close to 10 years, the Coimbatore Corporation managed to get drainage connection and usage charges passed by the elected Council at its special meeting on Monday.
The underground drainage scheme for areas without sewers was proposed in 1998. But, discord among the parties in the Council over the charges blocked its take off. Now, the Corporation is set to implement it at Rs. 377 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
An all-party meeting held last week reached an accord over the rates.
The condition, however, was that the usage charges will be lower than the lowest among all the local bodies in the State.
The Council fixed Rs. 3,000 as the connection deposit for those who paid sums up to this amount as half-yearly Property Tax. Above this level, the tax amount would be the deposit charge.
As for the monthly service (or usage) charge, Rs.30 is the starting rate for residential buildings (up to 500 sq.ft.). The maximum amount is Rs.200.
Commercial buildings up to 500 sq ft will have to pay Rs.75. The rates vary with the sq ft and goes beyond Rs.1,000. For industrial buildings, the charges range from Rs.75 to Rs.500. It is Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 for hospitals, Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,500 for lodges, Rs. 150 to Rs.5,000 for hotels. (Rs.5,000 is for five star hotels and those above this category). Cinemas with seats up to 1,000 should pay Rs. 350 and those with more seats have to pay Rs.1,000.
The Council also passed service charges for marriage and community halls, schools and colleges and every other building that were used for non-residential purposes.
Though monthly, the Corporation offered building owners the option of paying in bulk every six months along with the Property Tax.
On a suggestion from Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor C. Padmanabhan, Mayor R. Venkatachalam announced that a committee of elected members would be formed to examine suggestions and objections from the public and other organisations concerned.
