Water in Delhi to cost Rs. 28 extra per month
The Delhi government has hiked water and sewer charges for the first time in three years. The first 20,000L per month will continue being free. Post that, rates will go up by 20%, translating to a hike of Rs. 28 per month or 0.85 paisa per day, announced Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Vice-Chairman Dinesh Mohaniya. The new rates would be effective from February'18.
How much does water in Delhi cost now?
At current rates, up to 20,000L of water per month is free. Those using 20,000-30,000L have to pay a service charge of Rs. 219 and a volumetric charge of roughly Rs. 22 per 1,000L. Beyond 30,000L, the service charge is Rs. 293 and Rs. 36 per 1,000L in volumetric charge. Arvind Kejriwal had promised free water up to 20,000L if AAP came to power.
Kejriwal's media adviser tweets details
DJB cites major revenue loss behind the hike
In February'16, Kejriwal said on the AAP government's one-year anniversary that despite the subsidies, the DJB had a surplus of over Rs. 176cr. However, according to reports, the Jal Board has approved the latest hike citing major losses in revenue. Apparently it suffered losses of Rs. 516cr in 2016-17. In the previous fiscal, it claims to have lost Rs. 209cr.
Kejriwal took over water ministry three months ago
Since 2009, water tariff in Delhi has undergone an automatic 10% hike every year. In 2015, days after coming to power, the AAP government continued the practice. But there was no hike in 2016. Kejriwal had taken over the water ministry portfolio three months ago.
