DJB budget: Water reforms,revamp of billing system on cards

Having collected Rs 625 crore as revenue in the last fiscal,the Delhi Jal Board on Thursday approved its total annual budget of Rs 1,624.37 crore for 2010-11.

Having collected Rs 625 crore as revenue in the last fiscal,the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Thursday approved its total annual budget of Rs 1,624.37 crore for 2010-11.

The revenue collections of the DJB have increased by Rs 180 crore as compared to 2008-09. Revenue collection targets for the next fiscal have been set close to Rs 900 crore,which will further reduce deficit, DJB CEO Ramesh Negi told Newsline.

The DJB has also increased the tariff per kilolitre for the water supplied in bulk to the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment. The existing charge,Rs 7.40 per kl has now been increased to Rs 7.50 per kl.

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The main focus of the current fiscal would be to start the interceptor sewage project and replace old water main pipelines, Negi said.

The Board also proposes to finalise and notify all regulations of the Water Board Act.

And joining the go-green efforts ahead of the Commonwealth Games,the DJB also plans to plant two lakh saplings.

The water utility has also sanctioned Rs 133 crore to improve water supply in unauthorised colonies,Rs 9 crore for JJ clusters and Rs 55 lakh for rainwater harvesting. Moreover,Rs 595 crore has been allocated for sewerage sector and Rs 124.47 crore as the Central share for the Yamuna Action Plan-II.

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The DJB will venture into major revamp of its billing system in the new fiscal with the introduction of handheld bill generators. Emphasis will be laid on full domestic metering,extensive IT reforms in ZRO offices,streamlining of internal revenue processes,recovery of outstanding arrears,collection of increased development charges as well as reduction of unaccounted water. DJB will strive to complete its shift to accrual based accounting system, the DJB release said.

The Board has also decided to undertake a survey to identify defaulters and start a scheme for unregistered households to get legal water connections.

We will launch a special challan drive in April to fine all those whose water tanks overflow to make sure there is no wastage of water, Negi said.

On list
* To settle billing disputes at Lok Adalats
* To carry out extensive challan drives against people wasting water
* Complete work on Munak Canal,which proposes to add to Delhis water share another 80 million gallons a day
* Extension of water network to 200 unauthorised colonies
* Re-commencement of the Bawana water treatment plant and commissioning of new reservoirs

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