Metrowater’s income estimated at 1,017 cr

Of the estimated expenditure for the coming financial year, the highest outgo is for salary - Rs 288 crore - closely followed by power bill (Rs 245.86 crore), and operation and maintenance (Rs 248 crore). Purchase of desalinated water is another stiff bill, coming at a touch less than Rs 196 crore, while as much as Rs 84.56 crore has been earmarked for water tanker hiring charges.

According to the CMWSSB data, expenditure during the current fiscal would be Rs 1,366.05 crore. Of the total income, CMWSSB would earn Rs 340.39 crore from water and sewerage tax. Sale of water would contribute to an income of Rs 399.16 crore.

During 2018-19, CMWSSB prepared an estimated income of Rs 944.01 crore and revised it to Rs 866.15 crore. Apart from water and sewerage tax, and sale of water, CMWSSB alsoearns revenue from grants from the government. In 2018-19, the deficit was estimated at Rs 230.34 crore and later revised to Rs 386.46 crore.

It may be noted that CMWSSB estimated around 82 per cent of income from existing areas such as Royapuram, Tondiarpet, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam and Adyar. Existing areas would contribute to an income of Rs 838.26 crore. However, CMWSSB would spendRs 1,056.79 crore for several works, including operation and maintenance and hiring of water tanker lorries.

Overall, the expenditure for the fiscal would be Rs 1,366.05 crore. In 2018-19, CMWSSB prepared an expenditure estimation of Rs 1,185.35 crore but was revised to Rs 1,252.60 crore. Salary and other provisions to the employees would be Rs 288.01 crore. As much as Rs 75.94 crore has been earmarked for drought mitigation expenditures.

When asked the reason for increasing the tax collection estimation from Rs 187.63 to Rs 340.39 crore, a CMWSSB official said that they are expecting higher revenue as the tax rates are increased proportionately to the property tax rates fixed by the Greater Chennai Corporation. “We are collecting seven per cent of property tax as water tax and the Corporation’s hike in property tax collection would increase our revenue,” the official said.