AAP government hikes water charges by 10 per cent

A month after the newly-appointed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government announced its popular free-water schemes for Delhiites, the government has decided to hike the fee by 10 per cent.

However, the hike will only affect those households which consume more than 20,000 litres of water per month, the government said.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida, who chaired the 121st board meeting of the Delhi Jal Board, gave his nod to the proposal for the tariff hike with immediate effect.

"People consuming under 20,000 litres will not be affected by the hike. It was also decided to regularise all unauthorised water connections by charging a fee of Rs 3,310, which was earlier Rs 20,000. The step is aimed at encouraging consumers to go for authorised water connections. This will also help the DJB enforce better water accounting as well as reduce non-revenue water," said a senior government official.

The opposition BJP and Congress slammed the Delhi government's decision, saying it was "a betrayal of the people".

The government also announced approval of 100 per cent rebate in late payment surcharge amount for domestic water consumers, who need to clear their water bills by March 31 this year.