As the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) debt accumulated to over Rs 73,000 crore,  former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday made another promise to the people of Delhi that his party would waive inflated water bills if his party was voted to power in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls likely to be held next month.  Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal urged the people not to pay inflated water bills and said that 12 lakh families got bills of zero amount.” But when I went to jail, I don’t know what these people (BJP) did behind my back.” He assured that these erroneous bills would be waived off after the elections, offering relief to affected residents.The AAP government is providing 20,000 litres of free water to Delhi households.

Interestingly, Kejriwal’s AAP is in the power in Delhi.  This comes after announcing six freebies to the people of Delhi including Mahila Samman Scheme under which Rs 2100 per month to be given to every woman, Pujaris and Granthi’s monthly salary and free treatment to senior citizens.

Insiders say the DJB’s financial losses have jumped from Rs 344.05 crore in the 2019-20 fiscal to Rs 1,196.22 crore in 2021-22, while the board has a debt of more than Rs 73,196.55 crore, which includes Rs 37,366.59 crore in principal amount and Rs 35,829.96 crore in interest.

The DJB is estimated to incur a loss of Rs 854.86 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal. The DJB had incurred a loss of Rs 344.05 crore in 2019-20, which rose to Rs 770.87 crore in the next fiscal and then to Rs 1,196.22 crore in the 2021-22 fiscal.

Slamming the surge in charges during his absence, Kejriwal assured residents that no one would need to pay erroneous bills under an AAP government.  In a press conference,  Kejriwal said that people were “distressed” due to water bills worth thousands and lakhs of rupees being sent to them by the Delhi Jal Board.

He alleged that the inflated water bills started arriving after he went to jail and urged people not to pay those bills.

“I have said this earlier, but today I am making a formal announcement: when AAP comes back to power after the assembly polls, these inflated bills will be waived. Those who think their bills are incorrect need not pay them,” the former Delhi chief minister said.  The AAP government provides free 20,000 liters of water per month and over 12 lakh households in the city have benefitted from the scheme, he added.

In a veiled attack on AAP led Delhi government, BJP leader Vijender Gupta revealed that the Chief Secretary of Delhi had prepared a report on financial irregularities in DJB detailing DJB’s massive debt of Rs 73,000 crore and several instances of financial mismanagement. According to the report, from 2015 to 2024, ?28,500 crore was allocated to DJB for various projects, but there is no record of how this money was spent.

On December 10, Kejriwal announced his first guarantee for auto drivers in Delhi, making five promises which include marriage assistance of Rs one lakh for the marriage of an auto driver’s daughter, uniform allowance of Rs 2500 twice a year for new uniforms for auto drivers, Insurance of Rs  10 lakh life insurance and Rs 5 lakh accidental insurance for every auto driver, government sponsored coaching fees for children and Poocho App for them.

Kejriwal announced Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship which will offers full financial assistance to children from the Dalit community for pursuing higher education abroad. Once admitted to a foreign university, the Delhi government will cover all expenses, including tuition, travel, accommodation, and study-related costs.

To empower women, Kejriwal announced Mahila Samman Yojna, a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,100 for all women aged 18 and above who are residents of Delhi and listed on the voter roll. Women working in government jobs, serving as MPs, MLAs, councillors, or receiving pensions will not be eligible.

Under Sanjeevani Yojana, free treatment to senior citizens aged 60 and above. Kejriwal has promised Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium to priests in temples and granthis in gurdwaras as recognition of their spiritual contributions and efforts to preserve cultural heritage.

The AAP is seeking to return to power for the fourth consecutive term after the elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly next month.