No late-payment charges on water bill for Delhiites: CM Kejriwal
What's the story
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today that the Aam Aadmi Party government has decided to waive off water arrears for citizens with functional water meters at their homes.
Speaking at a press conference in the national capital, Kejriwal said a total of 13 lakh people will benefit from this scheme, and Delhi government will earn Rs. 600 crore with streamlined water connections.
Details
Late payment surcharge fully waived-off for those with functional meters
The CM announced that late payment surcharge (LPSC) will be fully waived for everyone with a functional water meter.
Those who will install functional water meters at their households till November 30 can also benefit from this scheme.
Notably, this comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, to be held early next year.
Waivers
Here are the category-wise waive-offs residents are entitled to
In Delhi, upper class, middle class to lower class housing colonies are categorized from A-H.
The categories A and B, the upscale colonies, will be entitled to a 25% waiver on the principal amount of arrears.
Category C will get a 50% waiver, while D gets 75% waiver.
E, F, G, and H categories, which comprises 10.5 lakh people, will receive a 100% waiver.
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Scheme to help "clean up Delhi Jal Board's books"
Further, Kejriwal said, "We're announcing a scheme to waive-off arrears to clean up Delhi Jal Board's books. Some of these arrears are due to consumers, but some are due to incorrect billing."
He added, "This is an open invitation to the people of Delhi to join the mainstream and install water meters. This will help us save Rs. 600 crore and strengthen the economy."
Information
Commercial users can avail LPSC waiver; no waive-off on principal
Kejriwal added that commercial users will be entitled to a 100% LPSC waiver if they pay the principal arrear amount, due on March 31, 2019, before November 30. Commercial users may pay the amount in maximum three installments. They're not entitled to any principal waivers.
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Delhi government is planning 24x7 water supply, says Kejriwal
Kejriwal said, "We've improved the water situation in the last few years. 58% colonies had water pipeline, but others used tankers. It's too sad that after 70 years of independence, people had no water."
He added, "We've put pipelines in 95% colonies. The rest will be done soon and work is under process," informing that the government is planning 24x7 water supply across Delhi.
History
Earlier, Kejriwal had announced free electricity up to 200 units
Earlier this month, the CM had announced free electricity for up to 200 units.
Furthermore, power consumed between 201-400 units will receive a 50% subsidy from the Delhi government, he had said.
A week later, he had also announced free Wi-Fi across Delhi, promising 11,000 hotspots across the capital.
In June, he had announced free travel for women on DTC buses and Delhi Metro.