AAP MLAs Protest Stalling of One-Time Settlement Scheme in Delhi Assembly

AAP MLAs in Delhi Assembly protested the alleged stalling of a proposed one-time settlement scheme, leading to the adjournment of the House. They accused the BJP of pressuring government officers to block the schemes approval.

On Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs in the Delhi Assembly staged a protest against the alleged stalling of a proposed one-time settlement scheme for inflated water bills. The MLAs disrupted the proceedings of the House by tearing and tossing copies of the inflated bills and later burning them outside the Gandhi statue in the assembly complex.

Accusations and Sloganeering

The AAP MLAs accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pressuring government officials to block the proposed scheme, which has yet to receive cabinet approval. Amidst sloganeering, the MLAs carrying placards trooped to the well of the House after members completed special mentions under Rule 280.

Speaker's Attempts and Adjournments

Speaker Ram Niwas Goel attempted to pacify the protesting members, but his requests went unheeded. Consequently, he adjourned the House for approximately half an hour. Upon reconvening, the AAP MLAs resumed their protest, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House until 11 am on Monday.

Ongoing Protests and Inflated Bills

The AAP MLAs have been consistently protesting the issue during the ongoing budget session of the Delhi Assembly, resulting in multiple adjournments after special mentions by members. They claim to have encountered numerous complaints from people who have received highly inflated water bills and are requesting rectification. AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar emphasized that such bills should not be paid by consumers and vowed to continue the protest until the proposed scheme is passed.

Blame on Meter Reading and Proposed Scheme

The MLAs asserted that the inflated bills were a consequence of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) employees not taking accurate meter readings. The proposed scheme aims to rectify these bills by calculating an average based on correct readings over a specific period. Out of the 27 lakh water connections provided by DJB, nearly 10.5 lakh consumers have refrained from paying their bills, citing the inflated charges.

Opposition's Counterclaims

Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri countered the AAP's allegations, accusing the Kejriwal government of engaging in political maneuvering over the issue. He claimed that the inflated bills were a result of airflow meters installed by the government. Bidhuri further criticized the AAP MLAs for disrupting the assembly during the budget session and creating chaos, leading to adjournments.

The protest by AAP MLAs over the stalled settlement scheme for inflated water bills has significantly disrupted the proceedings of the Delhi Assembly. The MLAs' actions, including tearing bills, sloganeering, and burning copies of the bills, have drawn criticism from the opposition. The ongoing dispute highlights the need for a swift resolution to address the concerns of affected consumers and ensure transparency in water billing practices.