New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government on Thursday had called an all-party meeting to discuss a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to give relief to the people who have arrears in their water bills. While the BJP boycotted the meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP should be exposed for not wanting to give relief to Delhiites.
But what is the One Time Settlement scheme in Delhi? Here’s all that you need to know about the ambitious scheme of the AAP government.
What is the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme
Under the OTS scheme, water bills of consumers who have arrears will be re-cast, as per median reading of past years. Recasting will be done on the basis of two categories:
Set A: Consumers having functional water meters with minimum two ‘OK readings’ over the last one year will be considered. In case, ‘OK readings’ are not available for the last one year, then ‘OK readings’ of the last five years will be taken into consideration.
Also Read: BJP boycotts all-party meeting called to address rising water bills in Delhi
Set B: Bills of those consumers who do not fall under Set A will be recast on the basis of ‘Neighbourhood Average’ or average of ‘OK’ consumption of consumers living in that locality.
As much as 100 percent late payment surcharge will be waived off for those consumers who opt for this scheme. Water bill will be completely waived off for those consumers who have a consuming pattern of less than 20 KL of water.
How big is the problem of inflated water bills in Delhi
In Delhi, more than 10 lakh consumers (out of the 27 lakh consumers) have arrears in their water bills due to which they have stopped paying their bills altogether as most people feel that their bill is faulty. The Delhi Jal Board is also facing huge losses due to non-payment of bills by consumers.
Why are consumers of Delhi receiving inflated water bills
Wrong punching of meter reading by water meter readers, meter reading could not be done physically during Covid due to lockdown, in absence of physical reading of water meters, bills being generated on the basis of average reading (that is 25KL usage per month) are some of the reasons for the inflated water bills in Delhi.
How to avail the One Time Settlement scheme
The arrears in the bills will get automatically recast and the One Time Settlement offer will be displayed on the water bills. To avail this scheme, the consumers will have to pay the One Time Settlement offer that will be displayed on their water bill during the four-month period when the scheme will be in force.
The consumers would also have to install a functional water meter, if not already installed. This will help bring all consumers who currently have dysfunctional meters under the ambit of the DJB.
Benefits of the OTS scheme
The scheme expected to benefit more than 10 lakh consumers receiving faulty water bills across Delhi. Consumers will be able to settle arrears by paying recast bills in one go.
The bills will get recast in an automated manner. Therefore, customers will not have to individually get their bills rectified at the DJB offices. All customers availing this scheme will need to get functional meters; this will ensure that they come within the billing ambit of the DJB.
This scheme is projected to bring in 11.9 lakh people under the fold of the DJB. The DJB is expected to unlock a potential of Rs 2,500 crore worth revenue. The OTS will provide relief to consumers as well as bring revenue to the Delhi Jal Board.
Why is the Delhi government unable to pass the OTS scheme
The DJB passed this scheme in its Board Meeting on June 13, 2023. The scheme was to be brought to the cabinet by the Urban Development Department, which is the parent department of the DJB.
However, the Finance Department refused to give its comments. Finally, written directions were given by the Urban Development Minister to the Urban Development Department to present the cabinet note before the council of ministers by February 14.
According to the Indian Constitution, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business Rules, only the council of ministers has the right to make policy decisions. So, if the One Time Settlement Scheme is to be introduced, then it has to be approved by the council of ministers. However, the UD department refused to put up the proposal before the Cabinet, saying no comments were received from the Finance Department.
Now, the UD Department has given direction to the Chief Secretary to bring the matter before the Cabinet.
