I know you have your hands full, there is a lot you need to do and YOU HAVE EVERY INTENTION TO GIVE THE MUCH NEEDED RELIEF to Delhites.
BEWARE ...... Jal Board Babus and Old Hands in the Board have turned a BLIND EYE to the Blatant Loot of citizens by installing NEW METERS THAT RUN EVEN ON AIR.
Delhites are sick of getting Inflated Bills and running around DJB offices to have them corrected. Please Read the attached News Paper Reports before you SET THE AGENDA for your first Board Meeting.
RWA’s in Delhi have opposed the installation of these meters as they Run Fast. The Delivery system has not been upgraded and the Meters are Calibrated for a Specific Pressure, whereas the supply is at Low Pressure, forcing residents to install online Motors that make these meters run fast as even AIR SUCKED IN IS ALSO RECORDED.
We as RWA oppose the installation of these new Meters till the time, Jal Board ensures Water Supply at proper pressure and at regular timings. An inquiry was also instituted by Kajeriwal Government, since shelved after the fall of Government.
Therefore, we advise you, to be cautious about the Installation and Continuance of such Meters.
Warm Regards,
Rajiv Kakria
RESPONSE :
I appreciate your bold approach and direct hit at our political representative. Time has changed and instead of poaching them with lavish brunches, spoon feeding, falling at their feet, using oratory as if they are from some different planet and seeking their 'blessings' , we have to be strong and determined like Arnab Goswami not weaklings begging with a begging bowl. Let us call a spade a spade and fire them for not fulfilling their duties. They are our servants not masters or else if we treat them as descendants of Britishers they will become arrogant and whip us right and left.
Regarding inflated DJB Bills in my case I had to fight with the ZRO who got it reduced from Rs.9789/- to Rs.2,675/- which again is 5 times high compared to my normal bills. . Surprisingly immediately prior to elections DJB started sending ZERO amount bills which I learnt from 4-5 residents and has even stopped billing thereafter.
Second point, ignorant residents who were taken in by false assurances have become scape goats. Those who refused switching over to new meters are continuing to beneft. How to over come this analogy Should we fight for reinstallation of the working meters. of which DJB must have kept a record or should it now install new meters mfg in India free of cost in place of these Chinese blue meters which run 35% fast.
Another point, meter readers had not been taking the reading of working meters and DJB had been sending bills on account. These facts have to be conveyed to AAP who should rectify the inflated bills sent recently in all justice while announcing its free water policy.
Regards,
RESPONSE :
DJB procured .6.5 lac electronic meters during the last regime. These ar in an advanced state of roll out – in fact may have already finished the roll out.
A couple of years ago I was involved in a number of interactions with senior officials at the DJB head office at Karol Bagh. A large number of residents in my colony had been hit with very high bills – figures ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 for two month periods and DJBs response was that you deposit half, fill up a request for meter checking and then we look into it. This was nothing but legalised extortion. Meter checking as with electricity was conducted by their own chosen team and invariably they did not find any fault. All DJB was prepared to do was to grant you easy spreading of payment!
I suggested to their finance head at the time, that water is a physical commodity. All you have to do is take a calibrated container and fill it. This will show you if the meter is recording correctly or not. Off course this they did not agree to.
Recently I started observing with my own and brothers new meters. My meter recorded 2.5 times volume...I have a 6 kl tank and on two occasions it it recorded 15 kl on each fill. In my brothers house we noticed something more interesting. There is no water supplied around mid day. If you switch on the valve at this time, you can observe the meter running at high speed. It is recording air flow! You are being charged for water you are not consuming and this is against any norm. Air pressure could have built up downstream due to some one using an illegal in-line pump...may be. This is looting consumers to balance your accounts to cover up your own inefficiency.
My advice to all users is:
-to first and foremost have a gate valve installed after the meter and only open this for the period of filling your tank. This way you will not be changed for air consumption
- start keeping a record of meter readings so that you have some basis for challenging your bills.
- persuade your neighbours not to use in-line pumps in areas where there is decent water supply so that every one has a chance of receiving water.
Let us start a campaign to reign in this rogue organisation. Their accounting is a mess. Billing policies are not people friendly, Not enough is done about leakage of collection and the legitimate users end up being penalised. The STPs are a mess. Many issues which Arvind is quite familiar with sine he has done sterling work in this field in the past.
.
regards.
Anant Trivedi
Ceng MBCS CITP
