The Delhi government is launching a water bill relief scheme to aid domestic consumers struggling with inflated and overdue bills. This one-time amnesty scheme aims to waive late payment surcharges (LPSC) and provide a simplified process for settling outstanding payments.

Who is Eligible?

The scheme is primarily for domestic Delhi Jal Board (DJB) consumers who have received inflated or disputed water bills. To be eligible, you must be a genuine resident of Delhi with a water connection registered in your name with the DJB. The scheme, in its initial phase, does not cover commercial or government users. The scheme is expected to benefit a significant number of households, with estimates suggesting that around 16 lakh out of approximately 27 lakh DJB consumers have faced inflated bills in recent years.

Benefits of the Scheme

The primary benefit is the waiver of the late payment surcharge (LPSC) on pending water bills. The government will provide 100% relief on these surcharges. This can significantly reduce the overall outstanding amount, as LPSC often contributes substantially to inflated bills. The scheme aims to resolve the issue of incorrect and inflated water bills, providing financial relief to domestic users.

Water Minister Parvesh Verma has stated that the increased water bills are due to a 5% compound interest applied per billing cycle. The government has reduced this to 2% per bill cycle. For example, a ₹100 bill that would have grown to ₹178 in a year with the 5% interest rate will now be reduced to ₹130.

The Delhi government expects the scheme to bring in around Rs. 2,500 crore, which will help keep the Delhi Jal Board's finances stable.

How to Apply

The application process is designed to be simple and convenient. There is no separate form required to apply for the surcharge waiver. The waiver will be automatically reflected in the updated bill after the system is upgraded.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the official Delhi Jal Board (DJB) website or the DJB RMS Portal to check your updated bill after the system shows revised amounts.
2. Log in or proceed using your Consumer Number to open your consumer account and view the recalculated bill showing the surcharge waiver (if eligible).
3. Check the total payable amount and the due date. Download or note the revised bill details. If any mismatch appears, raise a ticket on the portal.
4. Pay the revised bill online or at approved counters within the specified window to lock in the waiver benefit.

Consumers will need to pay the recalculated bill within the given timeframe to avail of the waiver. Missing the deadline may result in forfeiting the opportunity for the waiver.

Important Points to Note

• The scheme will be implemented from next month and will be available until March 31, 2026.
• This is a one-time settlement scheme.
• The waiver applies only to the late payment surcharge (interest) and not to the principal amount.
• Consumers will not need to visit DJB offices for bill correction, as the recalculation will be done automatically.
• The government is setting up camps across Delhi to help consumers settle their bills.

In addition to the waiver scheme, the Delhi government has also reduced the charges for legalizing illegal water connections until March 31, 2026. For domestic connections, the fee has been reduced from ₹26,000 to ₹1,000, and for non-domestic connections, it has been reduced from ₹61,500 to ₹5,000.