Zee Media Bureau/Manisha Singh
New Delhi: After the newly-appointed Delhi Jal Board CEO Vijay Kumar announced on Monday that all domestic consumers having metered connection would get 20 kilolitres of water free of cost from January 1, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that it was the duty of any responsible government to provide water to its citizens.
The Delhi CM wrote on the micro-blogging site Twitter - “It is duty of any responsible government to provide "lifeline water" to its citizens. We may debate the quantum but can we argue against the principle?”
He also tweeted - “It is wrongly being said that our decision is for 3 months. Decision is for good. But obviously financial calculations are for balance FY.”
In another post he wrote - “Do you know the costs involved? Rs 160 crores per annum and just Rs 40 crores for the balance of present FY.”
It is duty of any responsible govt to provide "lifeline water" to its citizens.V may debate the quantum but can v argue agnst the principle?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 30, 2013
It is wrongly being said that our decision is for 3 months. Decision is for good. But obviously financial calculations r for balance FY
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 30, 2013
Do u know the costs involved? Rs 160 crores per annum and just Rs 40 crores for the balance of present FY
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 30, 2013
Meanwhile, Vijay Kumar said that if the consumption limit crosses 20 kilolitres, then the consumer will have to pay for the water and other charges.
The Aam Admi Party had announced in its election manifesto 700 litres of free water to be supplied daily to each household if it comes to power.
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.
With PTI inputs
