DJB Vice Chairman discusses water billing issues in meeting

Delhi Jal Board Vice Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj chaired an important meeting at DJB Headquarters on September 13, 2022. The meeting was held regarding complaints received about irregularities in meter readings. Representatives of the private billing agencies of all 21 zones were present at the meeting besides senior officials of the DJB.

Saurabh Bhardwaj directed all private agencies to take immediate action against those meter readers who are indulging in water reading frauds and demanding money from consumers. He said that it should be considered corruption and an FIR should also be registered against delinquent water meter readers.

It was also decided in the high-level meeting that Delhi Jal Board will also launch a campaign to generate awareness among the consumers. People will be made aware that if any meter reader tempts to reduce the water meter readings in exchange for some money, then they should not let it happen. Even if the bill is reduced for once, a consumer will have to pay the remaining bill in the next bill cycle. The Delhi Jal Board will make consumers aware through letters and other means.

Bhardwaj directed the private agencies that any meter reader on whom action is taken for such delinquency should be blacklisted instantly so that he is not re-employed by any other agency of the Delhi Jal Board in future. He says, "We also have to make the consumers aware of this issue so that when water readers demand money from them, they do not believe and file a complaint immediately."

Delhi Jal Board has a total of 41 zones and private agencies that have been appointed for the water billing in 21 zones. Representatives of all these companies informed the Vice Chairman about their respective zones in detail.

Bhardwaj directed the officials of the Delhi Jal Board to issue notices to the private agencies that are paying less than the minimum wages to their water meter readers. He said, "Many people complain directly to me about how the meter reader asked them for money in exchange for reducing the water bill. If the vendors of the government are found to be involved in such acts, then immediate action shall be taken considering it as corruption." He held that if such a complaint is received here onwards, then FIR will be lodged against both the agency and the meter reader.