Are water bills to be served even if water does not reach the house?
24 Mar, 2013Background
The appellant claimed that his wife had got a water connection from the DJB but despite several complaints, he has been receiving water bills but no water has been supplied. In this connection he filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) while enclosing a copy of a water bill received by him. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some information to the appellant.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the respondent submitted that since the water is not reaching the appellant’s house due to lack of adequate pressure of water, only the service charges have been levied as per rules. No water charges have been levied which is evident in the attached copy of bill. The respondent produced the relevant portion of DJB circular with regard to implementation of Delhi Water and Sewer (Tariff & Metering) Regulations 2012. The respondent also pointed out that even if water does not reach the house at times, the payment of service charges (lowest slab) is levied as per existing rules.
View of CIC
The Commission rejected the appeal stating that the adequate information has been supplied to the appellant. The Commission advised the appellant to take up the issue of service charges being levied even though service is not being rendered with the concerned authority.
Citation: Mr. Ram Sahay Koli v. Delhi Jal Board in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/002532
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1147
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission