Misuse of funds meant to promote rainwater harvesting has prompted the Delhi Jal Board to withdraw the financial assistance scheme. Beneficiaries often claimed financial aid from both, the Jal Board as well as from the Delhi Government, under its 'My Delhi, I Care' initiative.
DJB had been giving a grant of Rs 1 lakh or 50 per cent of the total cost of rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures, whichever is less. In fact, it had even planned to increase the amount but has now stopped it altogether.
According to board officials, funds allocated by the State Government under the 'My Delhi, I Care' scheme are sufficient for RWH; therefore, DJB has decided to stop distributing any further grants.
Besides, DJB has written to various civic bodies, like the public works department (PWD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the three other municipal corporations and Delhi Cantonment to ensure installation of RWH structures in parks and gardens under them, along with maintenance of existing ones.
"We have taken this decision to avoid duplication of funds. All financial assistance will now be given only through the 'My Delhi, I Care' scheme under Delhi Government, which will give a 100 per cent grant to those who want to go for RWH," said Debashree Mukherjee, chief executive officer (CEO) of DJB.
Apparently, the authority took notice of cases where a few resident welfare associations (RWAs) claimed funds from the DJB as well as under 'My Delhi, I Care'.
However, Mukherjee added, "We will continue assistance to cases where work is under construction. No RWH work from DJB's end will be stopped midway because of this decision."
She added, "We have written to NDMC, PWD and other agencies so they actively take up the cause of RWH. A committee will be formed for this. We have also collaborated with several civil societies to give 'technical' support for construction of new as well as maintenance of existing RWH structures. These agencies will also ensure proper designing and monitoring of the structures."
Mukherjee said, "Nearly 70 per cent of existing RWH systems are not saving water to their full capacity because they are not well maintained." The body has decided to first start work for installation of RWH systems in south, south-west and north, north-west Delhi as they are said to be extremely low in ground water.
The 'My Delhi, I Care' scheme has also fixed Rs 5 crore to be spent annually on each district for the cause of rainwater harvesting and other issues.