Delhi’s waterloo?

CM says hike in tariff will force Delhiites to conserve water; Opposition leaders and voters are up in arms

Delhi's waterloo?

CM says hike in tariff will force Delhiites to conserve water; Opposition leaders and voters are up in arms

Will Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's water plans work?

Announcing the new water usage charges on Tuesday, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, "The increase is meant to make people understand that water is precious. This will fetch Rs 300 crore for the Delhi Jal Board and help in modernising its services."

Meanwhile, political leaders feel the new rates, to be implemented from January 1, will only burden the man on the street.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly VK Malhotra termed the move an assault on citizens. "After the heavy increase in power tariff, sewerage charges, bus and Metro fare, this is another hike in just four months in the midst of inflation. It has left the people of Delhi shocked and confused. After its third win, the Sheila Dikshit government seems to have taken voters for granted," Malhotra said.

A senior BJP leader, Vijay Jolly, said as elections were over and there was no need to pamper voters, the government is pushing up living costs. "The impunity with which the present government is moving is reprehensible and needs to be condemned," Jolly said.

How much more
A household will now have to pay Rs 2 per kilo litre (1,000 litre) of water for the first ten kilo litres and Rs 3 in the 10 to 20 kilo litre slab.

The tariff for 20-30 kilo litre slab is Rs 15 per kilo litre, while those for every kilo litre above 30 kilo litre will cost Rs 25.

Earlier, the government was not charging anything for consumption of water till 6,000 litre.

After the heavy increase in power tariff, sewerage charges, bus and Metro fare, this is another hike in just four months in the midst of inflation.
Leader of Opposition, Delhi Assembly, VK Malhotra

The increase is meant to make people understand that water is precious. This will fetch Rs 300 crore for the Delhi Jal Board.
Chief Minister SHeila Dikshit

Down the drain?

Sebastian KO, Mayur Vihar
I am very careful about using water. We try our best not to waste it. So is this hike in rate justified for people like us?

Deepak Mashi, West Delhi
Why is the government suddenly increasing rates of every commodity? Is the government penalising us for electing it?

Feroz Khan, South Delhi
The increase will not only be limited to household consumption. Even services like car wash and those that require more water will get dearer.

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