New Delhi: Delhi govt is likely to do away with the 5% annual increase in infrastructure charges, effective at the start of each financial year.
A senior govt official said that the decision taken by the previous govt, outlined in a resolution dated Sept 2020, which aimed to account for rising costs in water and sewer services. He said: “The Delhi Jal Board resolution stated that the charges are to be levied on new constructions and larger properties.”
“However, the board in its next meeting would do away with it,” he said.
The issue became politically contentious after AAP MLA Anil Jha said that just one-and-a-half months into BJP rule, Delhiites were facing a financial burden. “Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has massively increased charges for new water and sewer connections under the guise of infrastructure development,” he said.
Jha criticised BJP govt, stating that the DJB’s notification confirms a surge in commercial connection charges and an increase for residential connections, impacting those in unauthorised and resettlement colonies. The AAP MLA said that it was now becoming clear that Delhiites were unlikely to get any relief under BJP rule.
A senior official, however, said that AAP was making it a political issue when the fact is that the increase in charges was introduced by its govt only.
He said that a meeting of the board will be held in the coming week and then a final decision would be taken. He said that several other issues would be taken up in the meeting, including the enforcement of the summer action plan. “Officials have been told to come up with a ground report on the water situation in areas where there is no piped connection,” he said.
Among other things which would be kept in the meeting are efforts taken till now to curb water leakage, improve the sewer system, and monitor water outflow from underground reservoirs.
DJB, which has the responsibility of supplying water to 27 lakh registered consumers, often faces a harrowing time in summer in both managing water quality and quantity. The capital relies heavily on raw water supply from neighbouring states and is struggling to meet the growing demand for piped water. A severe water shortage in summer last year led to restrictions in supply and fines for water misuse.
