New Delhi, January 1: The Delhi government on Friday extended till March 31 its scheme offering a one-time waiver of water bill arrears and late payment surcharge. Under the scheme, launched in August last year, all categories of houses get an exemption from late fee payments, while their pending water bills are waived partly or fully depending on the housing category.

“We have decided to extend the last date for DJB's scheme to enable more consumers to pay their water bills at reduced rates without facing any financial burden or difficulty," Delhi Jal Board Chairman Satyender Jain said. “Till date, over 4.5 lakh consumers have availed benefit of this scheme and the DJB has earned Rs 632 crore in revenue," he said. Delhi Government Waives Water Bill Arrears of 13 Lakh People, Also Announces Late-Payment Charges Waiver.

The scheme will cover the consumers whose bills were pending till March 31 last year. Delhi's colonies are categorised from A-H. A-D category colonies are considered as middle and upper-middle residential areas. 'A' category colonies include those in Maharani Bagh, Chanakyapuri and Golf Links.

For 'A' and 'B' category colonies, 25 per cent rebate is given on their principal arrears while in the 'C' category colonies, 50 per cent waiver is provided. In 'D' category colonies, people get a waiver of 75 per cent on their principal pending arrear.