The Delhi Jal Board (city water board) has approved levying sewerage development charges on those premises which do not have a DJB water connection, or have a cut-off connection, but discharge sewage into its sewer system.
The monthly levy will be in the range of 150 to 2,500 Indian rupees [US$ 3.30 to US$ 55] depending on the size of the premises.
Property owner who clear outstanding dues within the next three months would get a 20 percent rebate on sewerage development charges.
The board also decided to set up a ‘Sewer Gang’ force in every constituency to deal with blockages in sewer lines.
The board announced an amnesty scheme for regularisation of unauthorised water connections on payment of 500 India rupees (US$ 11) instead of the regular fee of 3,000 India rupees (US$ 66).
Officials said DJB charges sewer charges for three years to regularise an unauthorised connection but under the scheme fees for only six months will be levied.
The board also decided to extend a special scheme till March 31 [2011] under which a certain segment of consumers was given upto 70 per cent rebate on their outstanding dues last year.
The board also approved installation of multi jet meters on its major water pipelines.
The Board is calling in the private sector to privatise billing and meter installation, starting in South Delhi. In the new system, customers will be able to pay their bills online. Private parties will be responsible for installing new water meters and for maintenance of the meters for the coming five years.
Source: Indian Express, 14 Jan 2011
