DUSHANBE, July 9, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali (KMK -- the state holding company for public utilities) plans to raise water prices by 38 percent.

In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the KMK director general Alimurod Islomzoda revealed on July 9 that they plan to increase the rate by 30 dirams during this year.

“Current price of one cubic meter of water for the KMK customers is 80 dirams and we plan to increase the price to 1.10 somoni,” Islomzoda.

He attributes the decision to raise water prices to a sharp devaluation of the national currency, the somoni, against the dollar.

According to him, KMK now operates at a loss.  “Today we receive 80 dirams per one cubic meter of water while our losses amount to 1.20 somoni,” the KMK top manager added.

The State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali  provides water supply services to all regions of the country, except Dushanbe.  In Dushanbe, the State Unitary Enterprise Dushanbevodokanal (DVK -- municipal water works) provides the water supply services.