Fourth water price hike in a year in AKP's stronghold

The increases in water prices in Konya have drawn the ire of citizens. In a city where the AKP is strong, KOSKİ, affiliated with the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, has raised water prices for the fourth time in a year.

With the latest adjustment, the price of one cubic meter of water has risen to 37 Turkish Lira and 16 kurus. For the past two years, the institution has been increasing water prices every three months based on the inflation rate. This automatic price hike policy continues to strain the budgets of citizens, especially those on fixed incomes.

CITIZENS REACT TO THE HIKES

As reactions to water prices grow, residents of Konya have expressed that they are struggling to make ends meet. One citizen, noting that they received a 900 lira water bill for a two-person household, said, 'The government knows nothing but raising prices. I went to the municipality, and they told me, "You cannot file a complaint without paying your bill first." We are no longer satisfied with this situation.'

"THE PUBLIC IS BEING CRUSHED, THOSE AT THE TOP ARE ENJOYING THEMSELVES"

Another citizen stated that high water bills have reached levels that are impossible to pay. 'Water, electricity... Everything has gone up. Poor people cannot pay. The public is not thinking, and those at the top are taking advantage of this to crush those at the bottom,' they said.

PRICE HIKES INCREASE LIVING COSTS

The regular water price hikes implemented by KOSKİ have caused basic living expenses in the city to rise rapidly. Citizens are demanding the removal of this automatic price hike system implemented by the municipality, expressing their frustration by saying, 'Water is a basic necessity, not a luxury.'

News Source: 12punto