‘Dues unpaid’: Delhi Jal Board contractors threaten to stall ongoing work

Speaking to The Indian Express, Vinay Mangla, the general secretary of the association, claimed that payment upwards of Rs 950 crore has been pending since February.

“After detailed deliberations and finding no option, it was unanimously decided that all the ongoing works related to water leakages, water contamination, maintenance of water supply, sewerage system, operation of tube wells and pumping stations, providing sewer beldars/engagement labours and de-silting work will be stopped from November 27,” the letter written by the association read.

DJB Vice Chairperson Somnath Bharti, meanwhile, alleged that despite repeated directions from the finance minister, the finance department had not released funds for the last three months. He also said he would reach out to the Lieutenant Governor seeking his intervention in the matter.

Bharti said the Delhi Government had been doing everything possible to ensure the release of funds for DJB for the last three months.

“The Water Minister has repeatedly directed the Finance Department regarding the same and even wrote to the L-G to ensure this,” he said. “Despite repeated directions from the finance minister, the finance department has not released funds for the last three months. They keep on raising different queries and objections to delay the release of funds,” Bharti added.

Earlier, Delhi Water Minister Atishi had claimed the city was staring at a “man-made water crisis” due to the stoppage of funds to the DJB by the finance department and demanded L-G V K Saxena’s intervention.

A statement released by DJB, however, said that there was no impending crisis as the funds will be disbursed after queries raised by the finance department are cleared.