Many CGHSs and even commercial units have received notices for non-payment of bills and charges. But many residents question the basis of these rainwater harvesting system and sewerage charges.
The notices and disconnection alerts sent to various CGHSs in Dwarka for non-payment of water bills have sent residents into a state of panic. Members of managing committees of societies across Dwarka are raising their concerns on various WhatsApp groups, other social media forums and even meeting local MLAs and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to get some relief in the matter. However, according to DJB officials, there will be no relief for defaulters.
According to DJB, more than 300 water lines have already been disconnected. Notices have also been sent to commercial dwelling units; and defaulters have been given three days from the receipt of the notices to make their payments.
Society managements in Dwarka have been trying to get DJB to waive off penaties on rainwater harvesting systems and sewerage charges. The Federation of CGHS even organised a protest against the charges recently and is now going for a signature campaign.
V Selvarajan, secretary of the Federation of CGHS, told City Spidey, “Despite the hike in water tariffs by 20 per cent for consumption of more than 20,000 litres monthly is on the higher side, our fight is against the charges on sewerage and borewell usage, and this will continue. DJB has not yet shown us why we are being made to pay these extra charges and penalties. Our societies are prepared to protest against the charges on borewell and sewerage usage.”
On the other hand, the MLA of Matiala has said that the issue will be resolved soon and that a camp will be organised in Dwarka on the subject. He even said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and DJB Vice-Chairman Dinesh Mohania would visit the sub-city next week and interact with the RWAs and society managements on the issue. “Only those societies who are using borewells will be charged for sewerage. The same is applicable on the rainwater harvesting systems. So there is no need to panic.”
In the meantime, DJB officials claim that almost 50 per cent of societies in Dwarka have not had even a single penny billed against them, as their monthly consumption of water is less than 20,000 litres. “However, they have been sent sewerage charges and any penalty against ill-maintained or defunct rainwater harvesting systems, in accordance with the set water rules,” said an official, on the condition of anonymity.
Din Apartments in Sector 4 is one such society. The president of the society, AK Upadhyay, said, “I am happy that we have received zero billing from DJB, as our water usage was within the 20,000-litre limit and our rainwater harvesting system was also perfect.”
According to DJB, many Dwarka societies were also cooperating with them in correcting any erroneous bills. “Many societies are also paying their due sewerage charges and rainwater harvesting penalties,” said an official.
