Kerala seeks aid to sustain water subsidies to avert crisis
Thiruvananthapuram: With the number of Below Poverty Line (BPL) consumers rising significantly, the State Water Authority is considering ending the subsidies provided. Currently, one out of every four families receives free water.
The water department has reportedly informed the Kerala government that it cannot sustain these subsidies without government support for the financial liabilities. During a directorate board meeting, officials discussed the department's severe financial crisis in detail.
There are 40 lakh beneficiaries in the state. Free water is provided to BPL households using less than 15,000 litres per month. Last year, 8 lakh individuals received such connections, costing Rs 8 crores monthly. This year, over 10 lakh people have applied for free water connections, and Rs 10-12 crores will be needed to meet the demand.
If subsidies are discontinued, BPL families in rural and coastal areas of Kerala will be the hardest hit. The connections were provided after shutting down several public taps, which is also a concern.
Jal Jeevan Mission
The central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing drinking water connections to rural households, has led to a significant increase in the number of free water consumers in the state. Under this scheme, 70 lakh new water connections will be provided, potentially increasing free applicants to over 13 lakh within two years.
Since its implementation in 2019-20, the Jal Jeevan Mission has seen the water authority spend over Rs 150 crores on subsidies. With the rising number of consumers, the department estimates it will need to spend at least Rs 120 crores annually on subsidies.
The inconsistent non-plan grants from the state government have further strained the water authority. The department has requested either equivalent grants or proper disbursement of non-plan funds to continue providing subsidies. If this issue is not addressed promptly, Kerala could face a severe drinking water crisis.