Much to the relief of the local residents, the recent dzongkhag Tshogdu brought down the water tariff in Zhemgang and Tingtibi. It comes into effect from last month. Residents said they have been paying a hefty bill.
The residents of Zhemgang and Tingtibi had been paying quite a lot for water. That is Nu 5 for every 100 litres of water. The cost of water was increased by Dzongkhag Tshogdu in the Dzongkhag Thromde areas in 2017. However, another recent meeting deliberated on the same issue. Then the house unanimously decided to reduce the water tariff to Nu 2 from Nu 5 per 100 litres.
“We came to know that we have been paying a high cost for water than in capital Thimphu. Now with the decrease in water tariff, we are happy. However, we were victimized for about two years with a high tariff,” said Tobgay, from Zhemgang.
“I don’t know how it was decided to increase water tariff two years ago because Zhemgang is a rural district and I don’t understand the past Dzongkhag Tshogdu resolution,” added Dema.
“In the past, the water bill comes around Nu 300. But now it is just Nu 100 in a month,” said Tenzin Chumo.
People also blamed the Dzongkhag Tshogdu members and Dzongkhag administration for increasing the water tariff in the past without having proper research and public consultation.
Meanwhile, Zhemgang being a least developed district, the tariff was considered little high. It was reduced to encourage residents to start kitchen gardens and boost the local economy by using water diligently. Today, the municipality has over three hundred registered water consumers.
Pema Samdrup
