“Highly irrational & unjustified” : CAIT on new water and sewer charges imposed by Delhi Jal Board
The Kejriwal government of Delhi has once again betrayed the people of Delhi by making steep increases in Water and Sewerage charges under the guise of Infrastructure charges which is going to be a more fatal economic load on the people.
Through a proposal passed by Delhi Jal Board on 24th September, an order issued by Delhi Jal Board on 6th, October, 2020 levied Infrastructure charges for Water and Sewer for residential and commercial areas, religious places, crematorium, cemeteries, etc. If a simple calculation is done for a plot of 250 meters i.e. about 2600 square yards in A and B category areas, a whopping charge of about Rs. 25 lakh rupees will have to be paid by the property holder whereas there was no such fee in the last two years. It is deeply regretted that the said order does prescribe the charges but does not mention a word about usage of such charge and no single step has been mentioned to correct the worsening condition of water and sewer in Delhi
Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that at a time when the whole of Delhi is suffering from the havoc of Corona, the Delhi Jal Board silently levied Infrastructure charges for water and sewer in Delhi loading the people with excessive burden of finance. He said that by way of a resolution No. 1020 on 24 September 2020, the new levy of charges were approved by Jal Board and an order was issued on 6th October for levying the charges with immediate effect and the people of Delhi still do not know that they have been overburdened with one another new charge.
Khandelwal termed the order as highly irrational, unjustified and issued without applying any mind. “Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal should immediately direct the Delhi Jal Board to withdraw the order for imposing new charges in order to save the people of Delhi from more undesirable economic troubles.”
“As per Circular No.DJB/DOR/Infra.Charges/2020/
Similarly, the Sewer charges have been prescribed for hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, canteens, assemblies, banquet halls, factories, Industries, malls, offices, shops, petrol pumps and all types of commercial use in A & B category will be Rs 210, Rs 150 in C category, Rs 90 in D category, Rs 60 per square feet in EFG H category. Educational Institutions, Schools, IITs, ITIs, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, labs, warehouses, storage houses, custodial Institutes, panel & mental institutions, multi level parking, the sewer charges Rs 150 in A & B category, Rs 120 in C Category, Rs.75 in D category and for EFGH category, the charges will be Rs 45 per square feet. For Domestic Houses, religious places, crematorium, burial ground, hostels and dormitories of educational institutions, Rs 120 for A & B category, Rs 90 in the C category, Rs. 60 in the D category and Rs. 30 per square feet in EFGH will be charged.”
Mr. Khandelwal said that the people of Delhi will be hit hard by the high levy of water and sewer charges. CAIT will meet Lt. Governor of Delhi Shri Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal on this critical issue and will demand to withdraw the circular in question. There is a huge lack of water and sewer facilities in Delhi and instead of fixing them, it is not appropriate to impose such huge charges on the people of Delhi and hence this increase should be withdrawn immediately, demanded Khandelwal.
