Section 144 in Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976
144. Fixed charges and agreements for payment in lieu of taxes.
(1)The corporation may, instead of imposing a water-rate or where a water-rate has been imposed, in individual cases, instead of levying a rate imposed in respect of the supply of water belonging to the corporation to or for use in connection with any private lands or buildings,-(a)fix at rates not exceeding such as shall be specified in the rules in force under section 421 charges for such supply according to the quantity used, as ascertained by measurement; or(b)arrange with any person on his application to supply on payment, periodically or otherwise, water belonging to the corporation, in such quantities or for such purposes (whether domestic, ornamental, or irrigational or far trade, manufacture or any other purpose), on such terms and subject to such conditions as it shall fix by agreement with such person:Provided that,-(i)the meters, connection-pipes and all other works necessary for and incidental to such supply and all repairs, extensions and alterations of such works shall be under the control of the corporation and the expense thereof shall, so far as not inconsistent with the rules or bye-laws be defrayed by the person liable for the charges or payments fixed in respect of such supply; and(ii)such supply of water shall be and shall be deemed to have been granted, subject to all such conditions as to the limit or stoppage thereof, and so to the prevention of waste or misuse, as are prescribed in the bye-laws for the time being in force.(2)The corporation may compound for a period not exceeding one year at a time, with any person for a sum to be fixed in accordance with a scale approved by the corporation and to be paid monthly, quarterly or half yearly, in advance in lieu of all tolls payable in respect of any vehicle belonging to such person and issue a pass for the free admittance of the vehicle or animal within the limits of the city, provided that the sum charged shall not be less than one half of the amount which such person would have been liable to pay if the vehicle had to pay roll once every day during the period for which the pass is issued.(3)Every sum claimed by a corporation due under sub-section (1) as charges, payments or expenses, or as lumpsum under section 120, shall for the purpose of this Chapter be deemed to be, and shall be recoverable in the same manner as an amount claimed on account of a tax recoverable under this Chapter:Provided that nothing in this section shall affect the right or power of a corporation to contract with any person to supply for use beyond the limits of the city at such rates and on such conditions as the corporation may think fit, any quantity of water belonging to the corporation but not required for the purpose of this Act.
