Revised: water to cost more from next bill

The water bill depends on two components,fixed and volumetric. The volumetric part calculates charge on the amount used above the fixed consumption.

From the next billing cycle,residents will pay Rs 82 against the present Rs 52 for a fixed use of 10 kilolitres. In the 20-kilolitre slab,the tariff is set to touch Rs 180 against the present Rs 82. For 30 kilolitres,the tariff is proposed at Rs 486. At present,it is Rs 187.

In the commercial category,a fixed usage of 10 kilolitres would cost Rs 560; 20 kilolitres Rs 1,080; 30 kilolitres Rs 2,940; and 40 kilolitres would cost the commercial establishment Rs 7,840.

In the volumetric category,Rs 2 would be charged per kilolitre for usage in the range of one kilolitre to 10 kilolitres. For usages between 11 kilolitres and 20 kilolitres,the proposed tariff would be in the range of Rs 4 to Rs 7 per kilolitre while Rs 12 would be charged per kilolitre for that in the range of 20 to 30 kilolitres.

For commercial use,Rs 10 has been proposed per kilolitre for usage upto 10 kilolitres while Rs 25 per kilolitre is likely to be charged for the range between 10 and 25 kilolitres.

The proposed tariff for usages in the range of 25 to 50 kilolitres is likely to be Rs 50 per kilolitre while Rs 80 has been proposed per kilolitre for using water between 50 and 100 kilolitres.

A senior DJB official said: “The present rates are subsidised. A decision had to be taken on whether the DJB would continue charging the taxpayer for this subsidy,or let the consumer pay for what he uses.”

Justifying the hike in tariff,DJB officials said the present tariff structure does not promote judicious use of water,which leads to over consumption,wastage and therefore,scarcity in other parts of the city.

Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly and senior BJP leader V K Malhotra said the DJB’s move to double the price was condemnable. “Having been elected for the third time,the Dikshit government is going anti-people and hiking prices of essential utilities. We will strongly oppose this in the Assembly session,” Malhotra said.

At present,the DJB charges different amounts for different consumption slabs. With the current subsidised rates,consumers are also not charged for the initial 6,000 litres per month. This means that 200 litres of water is free each day.

This policy,DJB sources said,has caused it 12 per cent of its financial losses. “A modest price will have to be paid now. The new tariff structure will also offer incentives for saving water — you pay less if you use less,” the official said.