RAWALPINDI: The residents of Rawalpindi are grappling with the impact of a significant increase in water bills.
Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) reported that this increase marks the first since 2009.
Official documents revealed that the decision to raise rates was made on June 25 with special endorsement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
However, the specifics of the rate hike were not disclosed until August 5, after the increase had already been implemented following approval in a Rawalpindi Development Authority meeting.
The recent rise comes with a deadline for consumers: if they do not settle the dues in line with the increase by August 31, their water connections will be disconnected.
Consequently, residents have voiced their objections, and consumer rights groups have indicated their intention to challenge the price hike in court.
The impact of the recent hike varies based on property size.
For residential properties ranging from one to three Marla, the water charge is Rs. 203 and the sewerage charge is Rs. 147, resulting in a total bill of Rs. 350. Previously, the total bill was Rs. 236.
For up to five Marla plots, water charges increased to Rs. 290, and sewerage to Rs. 210, totaling Rs. 500 (previously Rs. 280).
Charges for plots up to seven Marla surge to Rs. 1,500, a more than 300% increase from the previous Rs. 350.
For properties up to 10 Marla, the new total bill is Rs. 2,000, up from Rs. 550.
The increase also extends to commercial properties as well, with various categories of billing.
Category A1 now has a total monthly bill of Rs. 1,000 (water charge Rs. 580, sewerage Rs. 420).
Category A demands Rs. 3,258 (water charge Rs. 1,889, sewerage Rs. 1,368), while Category B faces a bill of Rs. 5,345 (water charge Rs. 3,100, sewerage Rs. 2,244).
While these changes were made to address financial challenges and improve the water supply, the immediate impact on residents’ expenses has sparked concerns and protests.
Consumer rights advocates have expressed their intention to legally contest the price hike to ensure fair and transparent decision-making.
Source: Tribune
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In some areas of Rawalpindi like Gulzar e Qauid, Judicial colony,Airport Society,New Gulzar e Qsuid the residence are p aying their water supply bills regularly but they did get water for the ladt one and half year. The wasaw failed to continue water supply.All residence of the aforementioned societies are using water tankers.In this scenario the residence are compell to pay both mafias.How ever the residence has decided to stop paying water bills as they are not getting line water for the last one and half year. The residence complain that they are buying water through tankers then what for they should pay to wasaw.Is it payment of empty pipes laying under the earth. Wasaw is requested to comment. What for u are charging the residence if you cant supply water.?
They build water and sevarage lines using tax payers money but keep on charging for ever. It costs nothing on severage line. Schools make computer lab and charge every class the cost of lab. They can charge electricity charges that may not exceed rs1000 every month. Water conservation charges equal to water bill also not fair.
WAA Sir, A thoughtful comment indeed. I fully endorse it. As our aim now should be to keep highlighting the observations / weaknesses in our Government’s decisions being made for the public, please.
Stay Blessed ALL.
Computers need repair, they pay extra fees to teachers teaching computer, they furnish rooms on regular basis 🙄
I’m resident of D Block , near 6th Road ,Satellite Town Rawalpindi. Every other day the swerage lines and gutters are blugging out and when we put up complaints. The sweepers on duty came and demand huge amount in person . If we don’t fulfil their said amount ,they put dirt and shopping bags in gutters. I request to put a tab on this instead of increasing amount of swearage.
Leave the country as u can get the chance…
Thos remarkable uncertain increase in water & sewerage charges for the residence of Rawalpindi is another bomb for middle and lower class.
It is to be noted that water supply is not continuous and supplied water is also not hygienic as per WHO standard hence therefore water supplied is only used for washing clothes and in toilet only and for drinking purpose one have to rely on commercial supplies like Nestle Aquafina etc or on daily basis have to go to tube well for refilling of drinking water.
In regards to sewerage, the sewerage system is so much pathetic moreover if some one register complain for cleaning/opening then the team visit normally charge Rs.1,000/- to Rs.3,000/- and God forbid if some one deny to pay the next day the same team block the gutter line in numerous means.
The local authority increased the water & sewerage charges then they must enhance the services as well to justify the increase or else it will be understand that the poor has to pay the luxury of bureaucrats likewise by paying extra taxes on electricity and gas utility bills and likewise.
By saying all this it is requested to understand the needs of middle and lower class citizen of this country and don’t implement such taxes which is impossible for middle and lower class to pay from the income in fair means.
WASA is charging the people who pay their bill regularly and exorbitantly looting them, while in my opinion it constantly and consistently fails to collect the bills from majority of its consumers. If it manages to collect even 75 percent of its dues, there would be no need for tariff hike.
The parameters suggested for water bill slabs seem rediclious ,eg sizes of house is taken into consideration . I m living in about 15 marlas house in absence of any underground tank for water storage , I ll have to arrange other alternates to ensure smooth water supply in taps of the house . The next water bill is expected to be doubled the cost of rest of the aminities like gas , electricity n broadband which ll have to be borne by me from next month is no less than a night mare for a senior retired jobless guy .
If ten to twenty thousands subscribers vow not to pay their bills from next month then on the Wasa may be bent down to some extent.
Jab yahan ki zameen kay neechay pani hi nahi ha to yahan islamabad bananay ki kia zaroorat thi. Ghalat faisla galay par gia. Aik waqt aye ga pindi or islamabad mil kar sab se bara metropolitan jai ga or log pani ki boond boond ko tarsain gay.