Commercial And Govt Units Owe 1.3L Crore Water Dues
While commercial users owed Delhi Jal Board Rs66,000 crore and govt departments Rs61,000 crore, domestic consumers had unpaid dues of Rs15,000 crore, according to govt data.
Relief from "inflated water bills" will be provided to domestic water users, said minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday, disclosing, "The software upgradation process has started and we are hopeful of launching it in two months." He said smart meters would be installed to prevent the problem of faulty billing from arising again.
In response to public grievances, especially from household consumers, Delhi govt is planning a full waiver of the late payment surcharges. Common complaints from residents include inflated bills caused by faulty or estimated meter readings, bills issued during Covid lockdowns when homes remained vacant and arrears that snowballing into thousands or even lakhs of rupees. Non-payment of disputed bills also triggered increasing late fees, increasing the due amount, a govt official said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
신차장기렌트 선납금 없어도 월 20만원대부터 가능할까?
써치오토모빌
더 알아보기
Undo
You Can Also Check:
Delhi AQI
|
Weather in Delhi
|
Bank Holidays in Delhi
|
Public Holidays in Delhi
Officials said that the proposed waiver excludes commercial users and govt departments and limits it to domestic waivers. No decision has yet been taken on relief of the dues. An official said the was firmly on easing the load on domestic consumers even as the authorities try to recover the unpaid amounts. Verma said that DJB's software would also automatically deduct surcharges and issue fresh bills under the new scheme.
However, no relief is currently planned for complaints related to false meter readings. Many users stopped paying the post-Covid bills due to faulty bills. In Oct and Nov 2022, the DJB portal logged over 10,000 complaints about wrong billing. The previous AAP govt promised a one-time settlement scheme last year, but could not execute it.
To curb future billing disputes, DJB plans to replace the traditional meters with smart ones.
Officials said that the smart meters would resolve all billing inaccuracies. The current practice of meter readers submitting outdated or incorrect images resulted in inaccurate billing, which eventually led to a compilation of underpaid bills.
An official said that around 1,000 meter readers managed nearly 26.5 lakh water consumers across 41 DJB zones and this has been seen as ineffective over time. Officials said that Verma had asked the water utility to overhaul the billing and payment system as soon as possible.
An application to make the payment process easier is also on the anvil.
Sources said the DJB top echelon had been intimated that the current billing system led to many users not paying their bills due to several lacunae. Officials claimed the new metering system would eliminate the role of agents and touts who allegedly accepted bribes to clear bills.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sitharaman backs Meghalaya's efforts to get UNESCO recognition for living root bridges
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed strong support for Meghalaya's efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the iconic living root bridges in East Khasi Hills district of the state. Sitharaman on Saturday praised the recent grassroots momentum to revive the nomination and strengthen the proposal through community engagement and international partnerships. She emphasised that global recognition would not only honour traditional knowledge but also inspire others to adopt sustainable practices rooted in local wisdom. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo "Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first," she said, during her visit to the living root bridge in Siej village on Saturday. "Your practices are not only effective they are replicable," she said. Live Events These natural, bioengineered structures handcrafted over generations by indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities represent a rare harmony between nature and human innovation. The bridges are mostly found in the southern slopes of Meghalaya towards Bangladesh border. Meghalaya first submitted a proposal to UNESCO in 2018, nominating the living root bridges for inclusion in the World Heritage list under the category of "cultural landscapes". The proposal, backed by the state government and conservation experts, highlighted the ecological, cultural, and architectural significance of these living structures. However, the nomination faced delays due to procedural requirements, lack of comprehensive documentation, and the need for greater community-led participation in the heritage mapping process. The Union Finance minister on Saturday also interacted with village elders, local leaders, and beneficiaries of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme, an initiative supported by the World Bank , KFW, and ADB, to understand how traditional ecological knowledge continues to be preserved and innovated by indigenous communities. She also visited Sohbar, a border village in East Khasi Hills district, the first Union minister to do so and highlighted the importance of such villages. "Border villages like Sohbar are not the end of India, but it is the beginning," she said. Sohbar is one of the 92 villages in Meghalaya selected under the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The Union Finance minister outlined focus areas for development in Sohbar - road infrastructure, telecom and digital connectivity, television coverage, and electricity access. She assured the residents that within a 5-kilometre radius, they would have access to banking facility, ATM, or financial institution for inclusive growth and rural entrepreneurship. The Finance Minister will conclude her four-day visit to Meghalaya with a stop at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School in Sohra on Sunday. The Ramakrishna Mission has played a pivotal role in education, healthcare, and rural upliftment in Sohra and adjoining regions for decades. Through its schools, vocational training, and community outreach programmes, the RKM has empowered generations of youth in the Khasi Hills, with a strong focus on value-based education, self-reliance, and social service.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Weekly Horoscope (July 14 – July 20): Predictions for Ox Chinese Zodiac
Ox zodiac people are known for repeating patterns, often without knowing. This week, the energy helps you break free. The key is to act differently. If a habit, fear or cycle has trapped you before, now is the moment to change your response. Do not follow old ways blindly. A small shift in attitude or reaction can bring big change. Show up fresh and the path ahead will shift. Weekly Career Horoscope for Ox Chinese Zodiac In work, you may face a familiar problem—but this time, choose a new way to solve it. Don't repeat the usual answer. Change your timing, your tone, or your style of work. A colleague may respond better if you stay flexible. This week supports transformation. When you step outside your comfort pattern, better results will come. Old cycle ends when you handle it in a new way. Weekly Love Horoscope for Ox Chinese Zodiac In love, avoid repeating old misunderstandings. If an argument keeps returning, try a new way to speak or listen. This time, choose kindness over silence, or honesty over guessing. Your partner wants connection, not perfection. For singles, stop chasing old patterns in partners. Look for emotional truth. This week offers a chance to build new emotional habits and leave behind painful patterns of the past. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Undo Weekly Money Horoscope for Ox Chinese Zodiac Financially, if you keep making the same mistake—like overspending or avoiding planning—it's time to stop and act differently. Change one habit this week. This is not a loss—it is freedom. Your money life can become peaceful if you break the old cycle now. New results need new action, not just new hope. Weekly Education Horoscope for Ox Chinese Zodiac Ox students may notice they struggle with the same topics or distractions again and again. Don't just try harder—try smarter. Change your study time or switch the way you learn. Use voice, visuals, or group discussions. This week gives you power to learn in a better way. You have potential, but routine must be improved. Break the pattern, and knowledge will stick stronger. Weekly Health Horoscope for Ox Chinese Zodiac Your health may show signs of repeated issues like stiffness, acidity or headaches. This is your body telling you to break habits. Try sleeping earlier, eating lighter at night, or reducing gadget use. Small lifestyle change can remove long-standing discomfort. Do not wait for illness to become serious. This week is about prevention through awareness. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Only one who stands firm during adversity is a real leader": Maharashtra CM Fadnavis lauds Pune MP Mohol
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has praised Pune MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, calling him a 'real leader' who remained active during tough times. 'Only the one who stands firm during adversity is a real leader,' Fadnavis said while speaking at the launch of MP Mohol's 24/7 Public Outreach Office and the release of his one-year performance report and book Pratham Manus, based on his COVID-era experiences. The event was held at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune on Saturday. Fadnavis praised the BJP for giving chances to dedicated party workers, saying Mohol had shown consistent commitment in both political and administrative roles. He also spoke about Mohol's efforts during the COVID-19 crisis as the Mayor of Pune. 'He remained calm and persistent throughout the crisis, which created his distinct identity,' said Fadnavis. The newly inaugurated 24/7 Public Office is located at JM Road in Pune. Fadnavis said that very few MPs in the country have a public outreach office that is open all day, every day. He also mentioned that Mohol was unanimously chosen to succeed the late Girish Bapat and is now working closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 'After becoming MP, he was entrusted with a significant portfolio and now works closely with PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,' he said. 'Amit Shah personally praised Mohol as a disciplined and studious leader with a bright future.' Fadnavis also announced that 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from Maharashtra have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. 'These forts reflect exceptional architectural style and rich Maratha history. Now, they will gain global academic and tourism attention,' he said. He further gave updates on key infrastructure projects, including the 'missing link' on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Once complete, it will reduce travel time by 30 minutes and feature a 9-km tunnel--the longest in India--and the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the country. He added that the second international airport for Pune is progressing well, while the Navi Mumbai airport is nearing completion. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol thanked citizens and party leaders for their support. Presenting his one-year report, he said, 'The people of Pune gave me an opportunity, and I have tried to deliver honestly.' Speaking about the pandemic, Mohol said he remained connected with the public through social media for 28 months. His book Pratham Manus (First Person) captures both positive and difficult moments from that period. 'Rambhau Mhalgi once set an example by presenting a work report to the people, and I've followed the same tradition,' he added. Mohol said the new public office would serve as a 'one-stop solution' to help citizens access various government schemes. 'When I became a minister, it was hard to believe at first. But with the party's and my colleagues' trust, I've worked with full responsibility,' he said. Recounting his first meeting with PM Modi after taking oath, Mohol shared how the Prime Minister asked detailed questions about their ministries' responsibilities and was well-aware of incidents like the recent Delhi airport roof collapse. 'This reflects the intense vigilance and commitment of the central leadership,' Mohol said. He affirmed his dedication to fulfilling the responsibilities of the Cooperation Ministry under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
