As Congress Backs Delhi's Water Bill Solution, AAP Accuses BJP Of Hindering 'One-Time Settlement' Scheme

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, during a session in the Delhi Assembly, urged Lt Governor V K Saxena to direct officers to implement the scheme and take action against them if they refuse.

File Photo Of Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj ( Image Source :PTI Images )

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing the proposed 'one-time settlement' scheme aimed at rectifying inflated water bills. A recent meeting was planned to discuss the matter across party lines, where Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from the BJP was invited but did not attend. However, the Congress party has supported the scheme. 

Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely told ANI, "We received an invitation to the all-party meeting regarding the Delhi Jal Board's policies."

"It is unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition and the BJP MLAs did not attend the meeting. It shows that they do not want to resolve the issue," he added further. 

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that the BJP's non-participation in a multi-party meeting on the scheme indicated their satisfaction with the public's plight.

"In Delhi, incorrect water bills are causing distress to over 10 lakh people. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced the one-time 'Pani Bill Mafi Yojana,' but the BJP is hindering its implementation. Therefore, today, AAP has initiated a protest against it. In various neighbourhoods across Delhi, water bills’ ‘Holi’ are being burnt," said Rai to news agency PTI.

VIDEO | Here's what Delhi Minister Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) said about the one-time 'Pani Bill Mafi Yojana' in Delhi.

"In Delhi, there are incorrect water bills troubling over 10 lakh people. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced the one-time 'Pani Bill Mafi Yojana', but the BJP… pic.twitter.com/BiFzE2eIRY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 22, 2024

Speaking in New Delhi, AAP's national spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP was exerting "a lot of efforts through officers" to impede the scheme. Despite discussions with the Delhi Lt Governor and presenting a resolution in the Assembly, the scheme has not been placed in the Delhi Cabinet, he added.

While expressing the Delhi government's desire to implement the scheme for the people, Bharadwaj claimed, "BJP is making a lot of efforts through officers to stop this scheme". 

Water Bill One Time Settlement Policy को रोकने के लिए पूरी मशक्कत BJP कर रही है।

हमने LG साहब से बात की, सदन में मामला उठाया, Resolution पास किया, फिर भी Policy Cabinet में नहीं आ पाई।

दिल्ली की बड़ी Political Parties के साथ सर्वदलीय बैठक करने की बात की।

BJP से Ramesh Singh… pic.twitter.com/xxhvxpHFHr

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 22, 2024

A recent meeting was planned to discuss the matter across party lines, where Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from the BJP was invited but did not attend. Expressing disappointment over the absence of Bidhuri and another BJP MLA, Bharadwaj said that it indicates a lack of willingness to address the basic issues faced by the people of Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, during a session in the Delhi Assembly, urged Lt Governor V K Saxena to direct officers to implement the scheme and take action against them if they refuse.

The Delhi Assembly passed a resolution through a voice vote, claiming that the BJP exercises control over officers to prevent the Delhi government from implementing the necessary and pro-public scheme. The resolution emphasises the approval of the scheme by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), aiming to recalibrate water bills based on an average minimum of two 'OK' water meter readings.

The AAP believes that the scheme would bring relief to Delhi's residents and generate revenue for the Board. Despite these efforts, the BJP's alleged interference remains a hurdle in the implementation of the 'Pani Bill Mafi Yojana'.