The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is preparing to waive domestic water bills in the coming days. Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Water Minister Parvesh Verma confirmed the development to India Today sister channel Aaj Tak, saying, “The government is soon going to waive the late payment surcharge on domestic water bills, offering nearly 80 per cent to 90 per cent relief to consumers.”
The move is expected to benefit lakhs of people who have been facing issues due to incorrect billing by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
The Delhi Jal Board currently serves around 27 lakh customers. Out of these, nearly 16 lakh consumers have reportedly received inflated bills, many of which date back to the Covid period when Delhi Jal Board failed to conduct proper meter readings. As a result, complaints surged. In October and November 2022 alone, the government received nearly 10,000 complaints related to faulty water bills. The Then Aam Aadmi Party also promised to bring a one-time settlement scheme to resolve the issue.
A senior official from the Delhi Jal Board said that the scheme would allow each consumer only one opportunity to settle their bills. “If they miss this chance, there won’t be another. Most bills are inflated due to pending arrears and late fees. Once settled, the bills will appear significantly reduced,” the official added.