New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party on Monday kept its promise of free water —20 kilolitres per month or an average of about 660 litres a day per family — but it came with a rider and a whammy for bigger water consumers. The rider is that if consumption exceeds 20 kl, you will be billed for the entire water consumed, and the whammy is that water rates will be hiked by 10%. In other words, while AAP’s largesse would benefit around nine lakh families, for the remaining six lakh families water would become more expensive. Going ahead, this could accentuate the rich versus poor debate. At present, free water won’t be available in the NDMC areas, Delhi Cantonment and Dwarka. Announcing the free water scheme, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the sop would be effective from January 1. The 10% higher water tariff will also kick in on the same day. The hike is part of an earlier decision by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to increase tariff by 10% annually. AAP had opposed this, claiming the need to increase rates was a result of DJB’s mismanagement. Obviously, the hard economics of water in Delhi has forced a rethink. In all, the city has 16 lakh metered water connections. In addition, there are four lakh connections that are not metered. The DJB was quiet on how the water subsidy would apply to these connections. Kin of slain cop to get 1cr, highest ever in city CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced a compensation of Rs 1crore for family members of Vinod, 48, the policeman slain by bootleggers in Ghitorni and added that he wanted to visit the family. In a letter to the constable’s family, Kejriwal expressed his grief. The compensation is the highest that Delhi government has ever paid to the family of a cop. One person has been arrested in the case. P 3 Helpline for school admission soon Education minister Manish Sisodia is all set to launch a helpline to redress grievances related to city school admissions. The dedicated helpline will work under the direct supervision of the minister and will be made functional around the time admission process starts. This is seen as the government’s first move to end the culture of “donations” and prevent corruption at any stage of the admission process. P 2 Yearly subsidy to be 160cr The total annual subsidy in the current financial year – that is the next three months up to March – would be about Rs 40 crore and the annual subsidy would be in the region of Rs 160 crore, said DJB officials. Under the new system, families that consume 21 kl or more will be charged for the entire quantity of water. So from paying nothing for up to 20 kl of water each month, the usage of even one extra litre will lead to a bill of Rs 884. The scheme for now has been announced till March, the end of the current financial year. After that, DJB will work out a different head for the additional expenditure. NDMC chairman Jalaj Srivastava said the decision on a possible change in rates could only be taken in a council meeting, the next one having been scheduled for January 10, 2014. There is no clarity for group housing society members since each resident pays a fixed amount, irrespective of consumption. “DJB has been making profit for three years. We need about Rs 40-41 crore to provide free water uptil March. DJB will bear this cost. From April 2014, a better system is needed to divert this money from DJB’s non-planned expenditure to this head of ‘free water’ and the government will have to help out,” said DJB sources. AAP sources justified the 10% hike by pitching it against the free water sop. “If we are rewarding someone for using less water, those who consume more should pay more,” said a senior party official. An annual 10% increment in tariff was announced by DJB in 2010, when Shiela Dikshit as CM was at the helm of DJB. After two successive increments, the one to be implemented in 2012 was kept in abeyance following a public outcry against faulty water bills. Last year, DJB brought in an online billing system and claimed that by mid-2013, there would be no incorrect bills. However, this claim is yet to be realized. Yet AAP has agreed to a 10% hike this time. Kejriwal unwell New Delhi:The strain of an extensive campaign has started showing on CM Arvind Kejriwal. He developed high fever and diarrhoea on Sunday. The fever prevented him from attending office on Monday and he held most meetings at his home. Dr Vipin Mittal of Kaushambi Hospital said Kejriwal has been given antibiotics and advised complete rest for at least 24 hours. TNN