<p>A proposal to introduce a ‘green cess’ on drinking water to aid in the conservation of the Western Ghats has sparked a split within the Congress-led Karnataka government. While some ministers have shown support for the idea, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed it as a “rumour” allegedly spread by the BJP, which has condemned the purported “decision” to impose the cess.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Shivakumar refuted any plans for a green cess, calling the notion “bogus” and accusing the BJP of misleading the public. In contrast, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and Law Minister HK Patil hinted that the government might be open to considering such a levy.</p>
<p>Speaking in Bengaluru, Minister Patil, argued that taxes on water aren’t unprecedented citing examples of irrigation and bottled drinking water which also incur charges, reported The News Minute. He said that a bottle of water bought for Rs 20 has been taxed.</p>
<p>Khandre defended the proposed cess, explaining that it would help raise public awareness on environmental issues. “It is to conserve Western Ghats and make awareness among people. Rs 3 per month for ‘green cess’ is not a big matter. There is not much awareness about the forest, environment and ecology. I have proposed this to bring awareness among the people,” he said.</p>
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<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>VIDEO | “It is to conserve Western Ghats and make awareness among people. Rs 3 per month for ‘green cess’ is not a big matter. There is not much awareness about the forest, environment and ecology. I have proposed this to bring awareness among the people,” says Karnataka minister… <a href=”https://t.co/rUZyTGVUQ6″>pic.twitter.com/rUZyTGVUQ6</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1856973968131125491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Khandre further elaborated that the additional Rs 2-3 per month per household would be equivalent to around 10 paise per day, as reported by The New Indian Express. “It is not a financial burden,” he noted, but reiterated that the proposal has not yet been finalized.</p>
<p>The BJP, meanwhile, has taken a strong stance against the proposed levy, viewing it as an unnecessary financial burden on citizens.</p>