Sheila justifies price rise; 'necessary for better services'

September 18, 2011 11:22 am | Updated 11:24 am IST - NEW DELHI:

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday tried to defend her government over the issue of all-round price rise. Trying to assuage tempers ruffled by the recent hikes in prices of all essential commodities, power, water and petrol, Ms. Dikshit said elected governments do not like to hike rates of civic services though they have to take certain steps to improve the quality of services and for their expansion.

Citing the example of water, which has become dearer after a recent revision in tariff, Ms. Dikshit said her government needs “resources” to be able to meet the challenge of providing drinking water across the city and in all localities.

Meter readers to be given IDs

Speaking at a Bhagidari meeting, she said water tariff was raised after a gap of six years and the Government is still giving subsidy on drinking water. The Chief Minister said the Government is attempting to bring more and more localities under the ambit of the Jal Board. She exhorted representatives of residents' welfare associations to ensure that there is no wastage of drinking water.

Addressing the RWA representatives, DJB chief executive officer Ramesh Negi said the Board will aim to work on the suggestions put forth by the consumers and try to implement some within 45 days. He said all meter readers will be provided suitable identity cards, and they will be asked to mention the present and the past meter reading for the benefit of consumers.

Mr. Negi said there will be no shortage of machines and super suckers to tackle choked sewer lines. The Superintending Engineers are being authorised to hire such machines, he said. The RWAs will be given opportunities to raise their problems before the Chief Engineers and elected representatives after every two months. A quarterly meeting with the CEO will also be planned.

Mr. Negi said the DJB will also install its own water meters across Delhi and construction major Larsen & Toubro has been authorised to install 2.5 lakh meters in East and South Delhi with seven years' warranty. He said the DJB has 14,000 water lines and 7,000 km of sewer lines.

The old lines are being replaced with new ones and the Delhi Government is offering a subsidy of Rs.222 per kilo litre on supply of up to 20 KL water and Rs.130 per KL on supply up to 30 KL water.

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