Delhi government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference on Tuesday announced that all households having functional water meters will be given a waiver on water arrears.
Today's water bills waiver announcement is a major reform in the water sector. Not only will it recover ₹600 crores of revenue, it will also incentivise households to install water meters.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 27, 2019
It is expected that the waiver of water arrears will benefit almost 13 lakh people in the national capital. The government also hopes to earn a revenue of Rs. 600 crore out of this proposed plan by streamlining of water meters. The announcement will only give relief to those who have functional meters at home. It has been decided that the waiver scheme will be opened till 31 November. Bills up to 31 March 2019 will only be waived off.
Arvind Kejriwal also informed the public that his government is planning to ensure 24×7 supply of water in the national capital. He gathered everyone’s attention towards the efforts of his government in containing leakages and stopping the theft of water.
The Chief Minister also announced that households of different categories will get a different level of benefits. In Delhi, housing colonies are divided into different categories such as from A to H, from upper class to lower-middle to lower class. The people living in E, F, G and H category areas will get a full principal rebate. While the ones living in category D will get a 75 percent rebate. On the other hand, the rebate for those in category C is 50 percent, and for A and B it is just 25 percent rebate.
Delhi Chief Minister through a tweeted message also informed that the government has increased its revenue in the water sector by 1.5 times in past few years. The announcement of Delhi government comes just a few months before the slated polls for the national capital.
Delhi's transformation in the water sector is remarkable. Despite making lifeline water free, revenues have grown by 1.5 times and theft has been plugged to a large extent through flowmeters. Delhi has set a precedent for the entire country! pic.twitter.com/00GjdDIWbm
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 27, 2019
Previously, Arvind Kejriwal also chaired a meeting with Delhi Jal Board officials where he approved the rejuvenation of 12 water bodies using phytorid wastewater treatment technology.
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