Hans News Service New Delhi

Ina strict stand against pending water bills, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has started issuing notices to commercial property owners where the due amount is more than Rs 25 lakh, Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Thursday.

The Delhi government has given time till August 15 this year for the defaulters to pay the bill after which action will be taken.

"DJB has powers to attach and seal properties of water bill defaulters. Till now, we have identified 1025 commercial properties where water bill is due over the years of Rs 25 lakh or more. If they do not pay up on time then appropriate action will be taken as per the rules," Singh added.

Last year, the Delhi government introduced the late payment surcharge (LPSC) waiver scheme for domestic consumers, which was later extended to the commercial category also. "Under the LPSC scheme the commercial properties do have the facility to get a waiver from surcharge, government is expecting a satisfactory revenue from collecting these pending bills over the years," the minister added.

The government aims to recover Rs 5,000 crore of revenue in pending dues of DJB from both domestic and commercial categories, waiving late payment surcharge amounts to the tune of Rs 11,000 crore.

"After the LPSC scheme's deadline is over, people who do not pay their bills, we will take action against the defaulters," Singh further said.

The LPSC waiver scheme is active till August 15 this year, whether it will be extended further, is yet to be decided, the water minister said.

Under the LPSC, a 100 per cent waiver on late payment charges was granted on outstanding principal water dues, if settled by January 31, 2026, after which only a 70 per cent waiver is given on later payment charge.