AAP’s free water scheme creates a splash

Five months since it was launched, around 75,000 consumers have already installed water meters in the city

The free water scheme launched by the Arvind Kejriwal government seems to have hit the right buttons. Five months since it was launched, around 75,000 consumers have already installed water meters to avail of the scheme, the Delhi Jal Board said.

As per government figure, about six lakh consumers availed benefit of the scheme, under which each household having functional meter, get up to 20,000 litres of water free. However, if the monthly consumption exceeds 20,000 litres then charges for entire supply of water is levied.

While the DJB was struggling earlier to make people install water meters, the government claimed that with the launch of the free water scheme consumers on their own are installing the device.

“Out of about six lakh consumers who benefited from the free water scheme, 84 per cent live in less than 100 sq metre and 60 per cent live in less than 50 sq metre dwelling units,” a DJB official said.

The official said 65 per cent of the people having functional water meters got the benefit of free water supply and that a total of 75,000 meters were installed in the last five months. The scheme came into effect from March 1.

The scheme is also available to residents of group housing societies. Beneficiaries are exempted from payment of all component of bill namely water charge, sewerage maintenance charge, service charge, meter rent and CESS.