Delhi CM announces major rationalisation of DJB infrastructure charges
New Delhi, May 22
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced a major rationalisation of Delhi Jal Board infrastructure charges.
Announcing the decision at a press conference here, CM Rekha Gupta said, "...We have taken a major decision to completely rationalise the infrastructure charges being levied by the Delhi Jal Board. Now, infrastructure charges for water and sewer will be levied only based on water requirement... The charges will be according to how much water is needed. Infrastructure charges will be levied only on new construction or additional construction... The water requirement in open areas will not be included in the infrastructure charges..."
Later in the day, CM Rekha Gupta laid the foundation stone for the modern Mukhmelpur Park in Burari, "which is being constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 1 crore".
"This park, being developed on about 3 acres, will be equipped with a walking track, huts, a pond, and modern public amenities," CM Rekha Gupta said on X.
Meanwhile, CM Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that the process of issuing new ration cards has resumed on a large scale from May 15, ending a wait of nearly 13 years.
She urged eligible and needy families to apply and said the Delhi Government is implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Antyodaya vision to ensure that welfare benefits reach those who genuinely need them the most.
The Chief Minister said online applications for new ration cards and for adding family members have been opened through the e-District portal from May 15. Older applications submitted in the past have also been returned to applicants through their login profiles.
Applicants can update and resubmit them with a valid family income certificate and other required documents.
Chief Minister Gupta said the government carried out a comprehensive audit of the public distribution system after assuming office, which uncovered large-scale irregularities.
A total of 7,71,384 ineligible and bogus beneficiaries were identified. Of these, 6,46,123 beneficiaries were found to be above the prescribed income limit and therefore ineligible for subsidised ration. Another 95,682 beneficiaries had not availed a ration for more than a year. In 6,185 cases, the names of deceased persons continued to remain on ration records, while 23,394 beneficiaries were found to be drawing benefits from multiple locations, a release said on Thursday.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good decision to not charge for open areas - at least farmers and gardeners will have some relief. But I'm still skeptical about implementation in unauthorised colonies where most people don't have proper documents. Hope the CM also addresses that issue.
The ration card news is more significant for us common people. After 13 years of waiting, at least some families will get relief. But I wish the government would also check why so many genuine poor families were left out during the previous years. The audit was needed but the damage was already done. 😔
While the DJB rationalisation is welcome, I'm more interested in the Mukhmelpur Park project. In Burari, green spaces are rare and this will be a great community asset. But Rs 1 crore for 3 acres seems a bit high - hopefully the money is well spent on quality infrastructure and not just fancy designs.
The revelation of 7.71 lakh bogus beneficiaries is shocking but not surprising. This is what happens when welfare systems lack proper verification. At least the new government is taking action. I hope the online portal for ration cards also works smoothly - many poor people aren't tech-savvy.
Good steps but these feel like piecemeal announcements. The real test will be in implementation - will the new infrastructure charges actually reduce the burden on middle-class families? And will the ration cards reach the truly needy without harassment at the local level? Only time will tell. 🤔
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