Despite irregular water supply, Uthiramerur locals irked over tax hike

Uthiramerur town panchayat has 18 wards with 40,000 residents, most of whom are farmers. The residents claim that despite the irregularity in the supply of drinking water, the local body has raised taxes and was forcing the public to pay them immediately.

According to the locals, the neighbourhood got its water supply from the borewells located at Vengacherry and the Viramegathagadam Big Lake, that were constructed several years ago.

“The borewells are very old and due to the lack of proper maintenance, the pipelines are damaged,” said R Uma, a resident of Uthiramerur. She added that earlier they were getting water supply on alternative days but for the past few months it has been reduced to approximately 20 days in a month.

Locals claim that since the water tanks meant for storing water to the panchayat has become old and unusable, residents are now using them only for tying their cattle.

“We are already spending a huge amount of money for buying water from lorries and water cans. Now, the local body has increased the water tax and wants us to pay the sum immediately. How much can we spend on water?” asks another resident of Uthiramerur on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, an official of the Uthiramerur Town Panchayat said that the water tax was not increased for many years and thus they had to increase it now. “However, the pipelines will be repaired and we will take necessary steps to supply water regularly,” theofficial said.