Ahead of Diwali, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed on Tuesday a total waiver of late payment additional charges of water expenses facing over Rs 11,000 crore for domestic intake till January 31 next year.
Dealing with an interview, Gupta stated from February 1 to March 31, 2026, a 70 percent waiver on late payment charges will be provided. She stated that under the plan, roughly Rs 11,000 crore in additional charges will be waived.
Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh called it a Diwali present for individuals of Delhi, stressing that the federal government has actually taken this action in public interest.
The AAP has actually criticised the plan, stating “wrong bills” released throughout the Covid pandemic will not be fixed under the brand-new plan.
At journalism conference, the chief minister described the federal government wishes to guarantee no customer is denied of water services due to impressive fees or technical challenges.
She kept in mind that water expenses are computed on a two-monthly basis, and late payments accumulate compound interest additional charges, which frequently develop problems for citizens and might even lead to disconnection.
Under the Late Payment Surcharge Waiver Scheme, a 100 percent waiver on late payment charges will be given if exceptional primary water fees are settled by January 31, 2026.
Payments can be made in a swelling amount or instalments, with the advantage using just when the primary quantity has actually been completely paid, she stated.
“From February 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026, a 70 per cent waiver on late payment charges will be available,” she stated, including that if all customers make the most of this plan, roughly Rs 11,000 crore in late payment additional charges will be waived.
She stressed that this is a time-limited, last plan meant to motivate prompt payments.
Before carrying out the waiver plan, the Delhi Jal Board attended to technical shortages in its billing system, which had actually interfered with procedures and avoided the addition of brand-new customers under the previous federal government, she stated.
Gupta stated the system now operates efficiently, with brand-new customers being included effectively.
The DJB has actually likewise reorganised its local earnings workplaces, developing one workplace for each 2 assembly constituencies and deputy director and joint director positions have actually been filled on deputation, with officers designated obligation for particular locations to reinforce billing and profits operations, the chief minister stated.
Verma stated the choice to execute this plan has actually been taken in the general public interest to make sure individuals have access to legal connections.
“While it may result in financial loss for the Jal Board, it will greatly benefit the public. Our government has presented a Diwali gift to the people of Delhi. We are modernising and strengthening the Jal Board system, increasing the number of water consumers, enhancing sewer facilities, and implementing projects to keep the Yamuna River clean,” he included.
The overall exceptional quantity of pending water expenses (consisting of all classifications – domestic, federal government, and industrial) that Delhi Jal Board needs to gather is Rs 87,589 crore. Of this, the primary quantity is Rs 7,125 crore and the LPSC charge is Rs 80,463 crore, which is 91 percent of the overall expense, according to authorities.
AAP’s Delhi system chief, Saurabh Bharadwaj, stated the brand-new plan will not solve “wrong bills” concerns throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
In a post on X, he stated, “The DJB amnesty scheme for water bills being introduced by the BJP government is not an effective scheme. The wrong bills that were issued during the Corona period, this scheme is not resolving them.
“Now those exact same incorrect costs are being troubled individuals.” he said.
Bharadwaj said while the govt is saying that late payment surcharge should be waived, but this “wrongful expense will need to be paid”.
“We had actually currently brought precisely the very same sort of plan in October 2022 and discovered it ineffective. After that, we prepared a ‘One Time Settlement plan’, which was likewise passed in the board.
“Ms. Rekha Gupta, please do take a look at that scheme, that scheme is beneficial for the public. If you need help, I am ready to help,” he published.
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