Govt plans laws to deal with water theft

Kochi, Feb 8 (UNI) Kerala Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran today said the government was planning to enact strict laws to deal with water theft.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Premachandran said a law envisaging stern punishment including imprisonment would be enacted to discourage water theft on a large scale.

He said presently the fine for water theft was a meagre Rs 500.

The Minister said the government was also planning to raise water charges for commercial and industrial establishments.

To settle water tariff disputes, 'Water Adalats' would be held in all districts before March 31, Mr Premachandran said.

Referring to muddy water in the Periyar river, the Minister said water was released from the Idamalayar dam to mitigate the problem.

He said the HUDCO Project, initiated to provide potable water in the city, would be completed by this year end.

UNI