Consumers skip deadline,DJB to install meters now

After the government order asking consumers to install water meters fell on deaf ears,the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has decided to take the matter in its own hands.

To check water theft and un-metered supply,the DJB had issued instructions to all consumers to install meters and get defective ones replaced by December 31 last year. The deadline was later extended till June 30 this year. However,of the nearly four lakh consumers unaccounted for across the city,only about 50,000 have changed their meters so far.

The water utility has now decided to change domestic water meters itself,having realised the consumer has no incentive in installing the meters. It also took note of the standard guidelines issued by the Ministry of Urban Development that demand no dependence on the consumer for accounting.

To cover revenue losses and check consumption,getting meters installed and replacing defective ones is a major input in demand management. Keeping the market conditions in mind,the DJB would now buy meters in bulk and install at subsidised rates,only charging from the consumer a meter advance, DJBs Additional CEO Santosh Vaidya said.

At present,DJB-specified meters cost a consumer nearly Rs 1,200 in a retail market. The DJB rate might be close to Rs 400,as per officials.

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