Ghaziabad: Within 48 hours of coming to power, the Aam Aadmi Party government on Monday delivered on its promise of supplying free water of 667 litres a day to each household but tempered it with a 10 per cent across-the-board hike in tariff.
After an hour-long meeting of Delhi Jal Board chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Board CEO Vijay Kumar, however, told the media that consumption beyond 20 kilolitre a month would attract tariff for the whole usage.
The Chief Minister’s office later disclosed that there will be a 10 per cent increase in tariff for those consuming more than 20 kilo litres who will be required to pay the full bill amount.
Officials said the increase is for various customers including the household connections, industrial and bulk consumers.
The much-vaunted scheme, which tops the 18-point agenda of implementation for AAP, will come into effect from January one and will immediately benefit around nine lakh households in the city. It covers those with metered connections.
“All domestic consumers having metered connection will get 20 kilolitres of water free of cost from January 1. No charges such as sewerage charge and water cess will be levied on beneficiary of the free water scheme,” newly-appointed Delhi Jal Board CEO Vijay Kumar said.
He said consumption beyond 20 kilo-litres will be charged fully. In a tweet, the Chief Minister said the decision will cost DJB Rs 160 crore a year and Rs 40 crore for the rest of the current fiscal. People living in areas under New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board will not be included under the scheme.
Officials said a decision on extending the benefit to residents of group housing societies will be taken later.
In another tweet, Kejriwal said “It is duty of any responsible govt to provide ‘lifeline water’ to its citizens. We may debate the quantum but can we argue against the principle?”
Kejriwal unwell, works from home : Meanwhile, Kejriwal did not attend office on Monday as he was taken ill but had a full working day at home as his government made its first major announcement of providing free water to each household per day.
“Running 102 fever since yesterday (Sunday). Severe loose motions. Sad that I won’t be able to attend office today,” Kejriwal tweeted Monday.
“It was so important to attend office today (Monday). We had planned the water announcement. God, bahut galat time par bimaar kiya (God, you made me fall ill at a wrong time),” he wrote on his Twitter page.
Kejriwal’s family doctor Vipin Mittal told reporters that the Aam Aadmi Party leader has diarrhoea and has been advised rest.
Senior party leader Kumar Vishwas said Kejriwal was “very ill” and doctors had to put him on intravenous glucose.
