Civic authorities in this Jharkhand capital are working on a proposal to tax water.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will submit its report to the water resources department in three months.

There will be three classifications -- Category A will include rural areas and outskirts of Ranchi, B will cover hostels and low/middle income flats, and C will take in the higher income group flats and bungalows.

"The tax amount will be different in different categories. Under Category A, Rs.2 will be charged for use of up to 25 kilolitres of water, Rs.5 for 25-40 kilolitres and Rs.10 for upwards of 40 kilolitres," explained an official.

It will be higher for categories B and C.

In B, Rs.10 will be charged for the first slab, Rs.20 for the second and Rs.30 for the third. And in C, it will Rs.5 extra for each of the slabs with the proviso that Rs.50 will be charged for above 100 kilolitres.

The new water tax, which is aimed at reducing the consumption of water, is likely to be introduced within six months.