Delhi government gives relief to water consumers, Rs 186 crore waived off

NEW DELHI: In a big relief to lakhs of domestic water consumers on the eve of Holi, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government today announced waiver on late payment fee running into a total of Rs 186 crore.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida, who is also chairman of Delhi Jal Board, today directed the DJB officials to waive off Late Payment Surcharge (LPSC) imposed on domestic consumers.

"There is an outstanding bill amount of Rs 1466 crore out of which Rs 1280 crore is principal amount while late payment surcharge is Rs 186. Government has decided to waive off this late payment fee," said a senior government official.

The official said that rebate scheme has been launched for domestic consumers, adding that to avail the benefit of the scheme, they can pay their outstanding bill except LPSC till March 31.

"Domestic consumers have been allowed to make payment of actual bill hence, they will not have to make payment of late payment surcharge if they make full payment of their arrears by March 31 this month," said a senior government official.

The AAP government has already announced that it will also provide 20,000 litres of free water to every household per month.

Besides, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government has slashed power tariff by 50 per cent for consumption upto 400 units per month which will benefit around 90 per cent of the Delhiites in the city.

Kejriwal had on March 1 inaugurated a 50--MGD water treatment plant of Delhi Jal Board in Dwarka Sector 16C and promised that his government would provide piped water to every household in the national capital within five years.