Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its free water scheme in Delhi, saying that it will benefit those who can pay and not those are need of it.
“Only well-to-do people have meters, do `jhuggis` have meters? so giving free water to people who can pay for it? AAP has no future,” he said.
Fulfilling its poll promise, the Aam Aadmi Party government had yesterday announced 667 litres of free water daily for domestic consumption to each household having metered connection in Delhi.
"All the domestic consumers having metered connection will get 20 kilolitres of water free of cost from January 1. We will not even levy any existing charges such as water cess and sewerage charge," newly-appointed Delhi jal Board CEO Vijay Kumar told reporters.
He, however, said if the consumption limit crosses 20 kilolitres, then the consumer will have to pay for the water and other charges.
In its election manifesto, the Aam Admi Party had announced that 700 litres of free water will be supplied daily to each household if it comes to power.
Last month, Delhi Jal Board had planned to increase the water tariff by 10 per cent from January to improve its finances.
It is not immediately clear whether government will charge for water being supplied to over 1,600 unauthorised colonies across the city as in most households in these settlements water metres are yet to be installed.
