BENGALURU, 2 APRIL

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is likely to hike the City's water tariff by one paisa per litre.

Defending the Congress government amid the BJP’s protests against rising prices, he accused the saffron party of being "anti-farmer" for opposing the milk price hike, asserting that the increase was intended to benefit farmers.

On Wednesday, the BJP launched a statewide ‘day and night’ protest against the Congress government, accusing it of imposing a financial burden on the public by increasing the prices of milk and diesel, hiking power tariffs and raising bus and metro fares, among other measures.

"BJP is not talking about the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) reducing power tariffs for certain sections. As for the milk price hike, shouldn’t we support farmers? Let them (the BJP-led central government) reduce the prices of cattle fodder, petrol, and diesel to help farmers. BJP is anti-farmer," Shivakumar claimed in response to a question about the BJP’s protest.

Speaking to reporters, he said that, compared to other states, the price rise in Karnataka is lower.

"Even with the water tariff, we have no other choice. We have to increase it by one paisa or half a paisa per litre; we can’t raise it more. I have instructed that the tariff be reduced for the poor. I have asked the board (BWSSB) to decide. We will not hike rates for small houses," said the Deputy CM, who is also in charge of Bengaluru’s city development.