The Times of India               03.01.2014

NDMC to slash bijli-paani tariff

NEW DELHI: Days after Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government slashed power tariff by 50% and promised free water up to 20 kilolitres, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is planning to rationalize electricity and water tariff. Sources say, a proposal in this regard is likely to be tabled in the upcoming meeting of the council on January 10.

For water tariff, the civic agency will soon write to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to avail the benefit extended by the government. According to NDMC officials, there are close to 25,000 water connections in the area, of which 22,000 connections are metered. "We will study the water consumption pattern of the metered connections and will accordingly ask for water,'' said a senior NDMC official.

With state government introducing this scheme, the civic agency is likely to withdraw the benefit -free water up to six kilolitre per meter- given by it to the consumers. "It is subject to clearance from DJB. If we get free water up to 20 kilolitre per meter from DJB, then we will provide the facility,'' said a senior official.

Similarly, the civic agency is planning to rationalize electricity tariff. After the new subsidy, tariff in NDMC areas will be higher than the rest of the city. "If we get the subsidy, then we will also moot a proposal to bring down tariff so that the rates are uniform throughout the city,'' said an official.