Himachal Panchayats Get Power to Set Water Rates, Collect Bills in Villages

Shimla Aug 10
In a major policy shift, the Himachal Pradesh government has authorized village panchayats to decide water tariffs and collect bills in rural areas. The collected revenue will remain with the panchayats for maintenance of water supply schemes. Proposals must be approved in the Gram Sabha before rates are finalized. The state will also transfer the responsibility of managing and repairing rural drinking water schemes to panchayats, allocating ₹354 crore for the task.