Representational Picture.
A month after taking charge of Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party or AAP government on Thursday announced a 10 per cent hike in water tariff for households that consume more than 20,000 litres per month. The new rates will be effective from April 1.
"The hike has been approved in order to keep the financial health of the DJB intact," said an official statement released by the Delhi Jal Board or DJB.
The decision was approved by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday; the Delhi government has already announced 20 kilo litres of free water for every household in the capital per month.
Those who use more, pay for the entire amount. And now 10 per cent more.
In a related decision, for those using unauthorised water connections, legalising their meters will now be cheaper. The government has reduced the amount of processing fee from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 3,310. "This will help DJB in enforcing better water accounting as well as reduction in non-revenue water," the statement said.
The Congress was quick to slam the state government pointing out that water rates have been hiked despite AAP making a poll promise to do away with the annual 10 percent increase. "The (Arvind) Kejriwal government has betrayed the trust and confidence of the people of Delhi," said the Congress' Ajay Maken.
In its election manifesto, AAP had promised free water and cheaper electricity.
On Thursday, the Delhi government also wrote to the DERC or Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission asking it to explain the basis on which electricity rates were increased between 2011 -2014. It also sought to know if due diligence was observed in the procuring assets worth thousands of crores by the discoms or the three distribution companies that supply power to the capital.
In the letter to the DERC Chairman PD Sudhakar, the government said it was seeking these details for a white paper that it plans to release in next three months. It has also roped in former DERC chariman Bijendra Singh as an expert.