Shimla, March 2 -- Residents of the state capital would face higher utility bills as the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has increased water charges by eight per cent with effect from this month.
In a corresponding move, sewerage charges would also rise by eight per cent, as these are directly linked to water consumption.
SMC has been revising water tariffs annually by eight to ten per cent to keep pace with rising operational costs and inflation. Officials maintain that the increase is necessary to ensure the financial viability of water supply and sewerage services in the city.
At present, sewerage charges are levied along with the water bill. An amount equivalent to 30 per cent of the total water bill is charged as sewerage fee fro...