Since its launch on Tuesday, the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) initiative to waive late payment surcharges on water bills has yielded significant financial results. Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh announced on Friday that the scheme has generated Rs 6.56 crore in principal payments and waived Rs 9.17 crore in penalties. So far, 3,635 domestic consumers have taken advantage of this one-time amnesty scheme.
Minister Singh praised the overwhelming response, saying it reflects a growing sense of responsibility among the residents of Delhi. “This initiative was designed to help consumers settle their old dues without hefty penalties. The positive response shows that when governance is transparent and centered around the people, citizens trust and cooperate,” he stated.
The funds collected from this scheme will be directly used to enhance the city’s water infrastructure, repair pipelines, and improve supply in areas that currently face shortages. “Our goal is to ensure every drop of water in Delhi is accounted for and efficiently reaches every household,” Singh added.
Under this scheme, waivers of late payment surcharges are available to consumers who voluntarily clear their outstanding balances, particularly focusing on domestic consumers with long-standing arrears. Officials have been directed to assist senior citizens and economically weaker households in accessing the scheme before the rebate period ends, and they are closely monitoring all collections in real-time.
“This initiative goes beyond revenue; it aims to rebuild a culture of accountability and mutual trust between the government and the people. Every rupee collected will contribute to the betterment of Delhi’s water system,” Singh emphasized.
DJB officials noted a rise in digital payments under the scheme, indicating improvements in the billing and payment processes for citizens. The government is targeting the recovery of Rs 5,000 crore in pending dues while waiving late payment surcharges totaling around Rs 11,000 crore.
Domestic consumers can fully waive late payment surcharges until January 31 of next year, followed by a 70% waiver from February 1 to March 31, 2026.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/late-surcharge-waiver-in-water-bills-djb-waives-off-rs-9-cr-in-penalties-collects-rs-6-cr-10313536/
Category: Cities,Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-10-18 05:05:00
