Delhi Jal Board, in a meeting on Tuesday, has said that it has no money to subsidise it. The earlier government had announced a scheme initially till 31 March only. However, after the earlier government’s exit, the Lieutenant Governor had assured that the scheme would continue.
At the 115th review meeting of Delhi Jal Board on Tuesday, members passed an interim budget for the year 2014-15 worth Rs 3,928.40 crore, with a plan budget of Rs 1724.87 crore and non-plan budget of Rs 2,203.53 crore. The Delhi government’s finance department, however, refused to pay for the subsidy. The meeting was chaired by Rajinder Kumar, secretary, Urban Development and Local Bodies. Several key projects and schemes were also discussed and approved by the board.
The approved projects aim at improving the operational efficiency of the Delhi Jal Board by replacing / renovating old infrastructure and improving environmental conditions in the city by extending sewerage to unsewered areas.
According to a senior Delhi government official, at the time of the announcement of the scheme on 29 December, 2013, the former chief minister had asked the Delhi Jal Board to bear a subsidy amount of Rs 41 crore for three months, After that period the government was to provide the subsidy amount to the board.
‘In Delhi’s interim budget, passed on 16 February by Parliament, there was no declaration of providing money to the Delhi Jal Board for continuing the scheme after 31 March. Before the government prepared a vote on account, it resigned,’ said a senior Delhi government official. The process of opening a separate account for funding DJB has not been initiated yet. The board needs Rs 165 crore to provide 20 kilo litre of free water per month to every household for the entire year.
‘If there is no provision in Delhi’s interim budget, the finance department cannot help the DJB for continuation of the scheme,’ the official added. The problem surfaced again as there is not government to take decisions. Kejriwal had met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure that the power and water subsidies continue after 31 March. Despite of LG’s assurance the finance department has surrendered citing financial crisis.
‘Despite having a surplus budget, the DJB cannot afford this heavy amount for subsidy as it has to carry out various repair works and maintenance of the pipelines. This will cost us a lot of money,’ the official added.
At the 115th review meeting of Delhi Jal Board on Tuesday, members passed an interim budget for the year 2014-15 worth Rs 3,928.40 crore, with a plan budget of Rs 1724.87 crore and non-plan budget of Rs 2,203.53 crore. The Delhi government’s finance department, however, refused to pay for the subsidy. The meeting was chaired by Rajinder Kumar, secretary, Urban Development and Local Bodies. Several key projects and schemes were also discussed and approved by the board.
The approved projects aim at improving the operational efficiency of the Delhi Jal Board by replacing / renovating old infrastructure and improving environmental conditions in the city by extending sewerage to unsewered areas.
According to a senior Delhi government official, at the time of the announcement of the scheme on 29 December, 2013, the former chief minister had asked the Delhi Jal Board to bear a subsidy amount of Rs 41 crore for three months, After that period the government was to provide the subsidy amount to the board.
‘In Delhi’s interim budget, passed on 16 February by Parliament, there was no declaration of providing money to the Delhi Jal Board for continuing the scheme after 31 March. Before the government prepared a vote on account, it resigned,’ said a senior Delhi government official. The process of opening a separate account for funding DJB has not been initiated yet. The board needs Rs 165 crore to provide 20 kilo litre of free water per month to every household for the entire year.
‘If there is no provision in Delhi’s interim budget, the finance department cannot help the DJB for continuation of the scheme,’ the official added. The problem surfaced again as there is not government to take decisions. Kejriwal had met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure that the power and water subsidies continue after 31 March. Despite of LG’s assurance the finance department has surrendered citing financial crisis.
‘Despite having a surplus budget, the DJB cannot afford this heavy amount for subsidy as it has to carry out various repair works and maintenance of the pipelines. This will cost us a lot of money,’ the official added.