Big relief for Delhi residents: Govt likely to waive late payment surcharge on water bills

New Delhi:

In a major relief for Delhi residents, the government is expected to waive off the late payment surcharge on domestic water bills, according to sources. This move is expected to benefit a large number of consumers struggling with pending payments. Discounts are likely to be given on about 80 per cent  to 90 per cent of the bills, offering significant financial relief to Delhiites.

Currently, there are around 27 lakh consumers of the Jal Board in Delhi. Out of these, nearly 16 lakh consumers had faced issues due to incorrect water bills. Many of these consumers have claimed that the Delhi Jal Board did not take proper motor readings during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to inflated or inaccurate bills.

DJB flags water bill scam, urges citizens to report fraudulent calls

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has warned residents about fraudulent calls, SMSes, and WhatsApp messages threatening disconnection of water supply unless immediate payment is made. In an official statement, the DJB clarified that it does not authorise any third party or individual to collect payments over phone or messaging platforms.

“These calls, SMSes and WhatsApp messages are not authorised by the DJB and are indeed attempts to extort money under pretenses,” the water authority said.

Reiterating that all official communication is issued via written notices or authorised digital channels, the DJB urged residents to refrain from sharing personal or financial information. "No payments should be made based on such suspicious calls... without proper verification," it stated, advising victims to report such incidents to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in.

(Inputs from Anamika Gaur)