The Hindu 30.12.2009
Deadline for water meters’ installation may be extended
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: With the demand for water meters having far exceeded their availability, the Delhi Jal Board is likely to give consumers more time to install meters at their premises.
Earlier, the Jal Board had asked consumers to install meters approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at their premises by December 31 this year, but a severe shortage of meters has resulted in complaints from consumers. “We are yet to take a final decision on the issue, but taking note of the consumer complaints about the shortage of meters, it is likely that more time will be given to consumers to carry out the work,” said a Jal Board official.
The Jal Board is contemplating giving the consumers “at least two more months” to install the meters, he added.
Earlier this year the Jal Board had issued a notice to all consumers to change their defective meters and install functional meters approved by BIS.
Residents have been asked to purchase the multi-jet meters and get them installed, following which the Jal Board would register the meters. “Once consumers install the meter, they need to write to the zonal revenue officer and send a copy of the meter testing report and the warranty card along with the letter. The Jal Board will then proceed to register the meter and dispatch bills according to the actual reading,” said the official. The Jal Board wants to discontinue the practice of charging the consumers at presumptive consumption. “For consumers whose meters are not functional (defective) we charge at the average rate of 20 or 30 kilo litres per month. However, with the losses mounting, the Jal Board now wants to charge consumers on the actual consumption basis. As per the recently announced tariff revision consumers who consume more will pay more; therefore, it makes sense for all consumers to have accurate meters,” the official explained.
The Jal Board has also cautioned that consumers who do not get meters installed at their premises by the due date will be penalised. “There is a fair chance that if a consumer does not install the meter and does not pay up, the Jal Board can disconnect their water supply.”
