Good news for Delhi residents! The Delhi government is considering offering up to 100% relief on the Late Payment Surcharge (LPSC) and penalties associated with pending water bills. According to sources, the government is currently gathering data from the Delhi Jal Board regarding the outstanding payments and late surcharges. The initiative aims to provide substantial relief to consumers who have been struggling with overdue water bills.
Delhi’s Water Connections and Bill Payment Status
Currently, Delhi has a total of 28,99,615 water connections, which include both domestic and commercial consumers. Of these, around 18.54 lakh consumers are benefiting from the government’s free water scheme, which offers 20,000 liters of free water per month. These households do not pay any water bill.
However, the situation for the remaining 11 lakh consumers is more concerning. Around 4.22 lakh of them have not made a single payment toward their water bills in the past year. As a result, their bills have accumulated significantly due to the imposition of late payment surcharges.
Up to 100% Relief on Penalties
Sources suggest that the Delhi government is contemplating offering full relief (up to 100%) on the Late Payment Surcharge and penalties that have been applied to pending water bills. Additionally, relief of up to 50% may be provided on the basic water bill for consumers in certain property categories, ranging from Category A to H.
Why Have So Many Bills Remained Unpaid?
The growing number of unpaid water bills in Delhi is largely attributed to the one-time settlement scheme introduced by the previous government. Under this scheme, the government had promised to waive off the outstanding bills, acknowledging that incorrect water bills were being issued. This promise led to a significant increase in the number of consumers delaying their payments, hoping for further relief.
The Road Ahead
If the proposal is implemented, it would bring much-needed relief to thousands of Delhi residents facing financial burdens due to high water bills. The government’s move to waive penalties could also encourage people to settle their dues, helping to reduce outstanding water bills in the city.
