To cater to the needs of the rising population in the 106 urban local body areas, the State Government on Thursday formulated an Odisha State Urban Water Policy-2013 with immediate effect for provision of equitable and affordable quality drinking water in a time-bound manner in next 12 years. All the households would have round-the-clock drinking water connectivity with metering facility as must.
The draft policy was approved by the State Cabinet. There would be a high-power steering committee headed by the Chief Minister for implementation of the policy.
As per the policy framework, an investment of Rs 4,380 crore as proposed for implementation of the policy from 2015 to 2027. The policy aims at meeting national service-level benchmark.
The Cabinet also approved the amendment to the Odisha Water Works (Urban local Bodies) Rules, 1980 for enabling the Housing and UD Department to fix project-specific water rate for water supply to institutional and nondomestic consumers including bulk under public-private partnership (PPP). The water rate would be revised from time to time based on project viability. There would be a separate tariff regime for slum areas.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal to revise the rate of Stamp Duty on execution of deed of power of attorney as prescribed in the Article 48 of Schedule 1-A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899.
The stamp duty would be payable on the instrument basis of the market value of the property which is the subject matter of such instrument relaxing the family members like father, mother, wife or husband, brother, sister, son and daughter.
In order to protect the interest of purchasers, in case of agreement to sell, at the time of execution of the sale deed by the same person, the Stamp Duty already paid would be adjusted towards the total amount of duty chargeable on the conveyance.