The advertisements have called the residents to specify whether their connections are in the residential category or commercial category.

Highly placed civic sources told Express Newsline the problems have cropped up as the VMC has started considering half inch connections (which till were now in the residential category) into commercial category. This meant that from the flat rate of Rs 180 per year, the person will have to pay Rs 1,650.

A civic officer stated that till now although the citizens paid property tax based on whether the building was for residential use or commercial use, the water charges were paid at a flat rate of Rs 180. With the new system, those using the buildings for commercial purposes will have to pay the bills in the category of non-resident, meaning shelling out more.

President of the Pratapnagar Industries Association Pratap Ramchandani has termed the bills as exorbitant, arbitrary and unjust. Alleging that for the industries, the hike has been nearly 700 per cent, Ramchandani said that it was not possible for the industries to pay so high charges.

He has also alleged that although meters are there in majority of the industries, the bills for the water charges have been issued without reading the meters.

A spokesman of the Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) said that a representation would be made before the VMC on behalf of the industries.

The Vadodara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) spokesman also threatened not to accept the bills and said a representation would be made before the authorities concerned.