I am writing this on behalf of the residents of B-42, Panchsheel Enclave, New Delhi. The water connection by DJB is in the name of Shri A.K Sain, having K no. 1385718506. The total building is used for domestic purpose only. The bill was earlier charged at Domestic rates but since around January 2008 the DJB started charging us Non domestic/Commercial C-II rates. This was objected but DJB continued to charge Non domestic rates. We were forced to pay these charges and have paid substantial amount for consumption made till date May,2009.Thereafter the bills were not paid because of our verbal protest. The latest bill no.379998 dated 22/07/2011 is for Rs.1,51,397 and adding to old balance the total amount payable is Rs.2,51,649.
We would like to quote here that the law is well settled that the DJB authorities are under no obligation to charge its consumers a higher tariff of commercial purposes, whereas the water was being used for residential purpose/consumption.
The Hon'ble Delhi High Court in its judgement – “DJB Vs Smt Sulochana “ in case no 149(2008) held that merely because of business premises is run from a residential building, it would not render liable the category of water connection to be changed to the said count alone unless it is additionally shown that water was being used in connection with business and the same view was taken by the State Commission, the coram held in the case filed by the District Consumers Redressal Forum of Shalimar Bagh filed against DJB for one Vijay Pal of Badli, village extension.
It is said that the premises in which the stated water meter is installed does not come under the purview of commercial category as there is no business or any commercial activity functioning. The DJB authorities by overlooking and without any authentic inspection arbitrarily raising such bills which are purely based on presumptions.
I therefore request that the bill raised may kindly be revised considering domestic rates since December 2007.
As per our calculation based on domestic rates, the total amount payable is less than the total amount paid by us till date. In fact DJB needs to refund us around Rs.10,000 to 15,000.
We earnestly request the DJB authorities to look into the matter and send us their revised bill for domestic use only.
We further request that the status quo should be maintained to supply regular water.