KATHMANDU, Aug 12: Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has stepped back from its decision to increase water tariff.

During talks between Mayor Harka Sampang and representatives from 10 parties, which lasted until late Sunday night, a three-point agreement was reached, including the withdrawal of the tariff increase.

“It has been agreed to immediately roll back the hike in the water tariff, publish the accounts of the Water Supply Board within seven days, and accept the High Court's decision regarding the board's integrity,” said a representative who participated in the meeting.

With this agreement, the parties and local consumers who have been protesting for the past three weeks have withdrawn their protest program. The details of the agreement reached in the talks will be made public today at a press conference.

The talks began at 2:30 PM on Sunday and continued late into the night. While the negotiations took place inside the sub-metropolitan office, agitating consumers and party representatives staged a sit-in outside.