The State Government may, from time to time, initiate drinking water supply schemes for the benefit of the public in rural and urban areas in Himachal Pradesh and may also maintain and improve the existing water supplies.
3 [4. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX] 4 [5. Levy of water rates.- (1) The State Government shall levy a water rate for water supplied to a consumer, by a water supply scheme managed directly by the Government or by the beneficiary to whom the scheme may be entrusted, at such rates as may be specified by the State Government, by notification published in the Official Gazette, from time to time.
(2) The recovery of the water charges shall be effected from the individuals on the basis of flat rate or on the basis of metered connections.
(3) The water rate levied shall, if not paid when due, be recovered as if it were an arrear of land revenue.]
1. Substituted for the words, sign and figure "the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 as in force in Himachal Pradesh" vide AO, 1973.
2. Clause (xiv) substituted vide H.P. Act No. 10 of 1983.
3. Section 4 omitted vide H.P. Act No. 10 of 1983.
4. Section 5 amended vide H.P. Act No. 18 of 1978, effective from 1 st April, 1978 and substituted vide H.P. Act No. 10 of 1983.
4 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH WATER SUPPLY ACT, 1968 1 [6. Handing over of water supply schemes.- (l) Where a local authority is prepared to take over and maintain any scheme as a beneficiary, the State Government shall hand over the development, management or control of such scheme to such local authority subject to such conditions as the State Government may deem fit to impose.
(2) The local authority, which takes over a scheme under sub-section
(1) of this section, shall fix water rate as it considers necessary and shall be responsible for the efficient management of such scheme.
(3) The water rate that the local authority may fix shall, in no case, exceed the water rate as may be specified by the State Government under section 5.
(4) The water rate levied by the State Government, if any, shall cease to have effect on the fixation of such rate by the local authority.]