Fri Sep 26 19:54:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summary based on the provided text, styled as a report from *The Hindu*:

**Headline: Delhi Government Announces Massive Water Bill Relief: 100% Late Fee Waiver, Reduced Rates**

**New Delhi, September 27, 2025** – In a move aimed at alleviating the burden on Delhi residents and boosting revenue for the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh announced a sweeping waiver of late payment surcharges (LPSC) on water bills for domestic and government consumers. The scheme, effective immediately, will run until January 31, 2026, offering a 100% waiver on accrued LPSC.

Speaking at a press conference following a DJB board meeting, Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to providing clean water access to all households. He stated that the previously high LPSC, often exceeding the original bill amount due to a 5% per billing cycle compounding interest rate, has been permanently reduced to 2%.

“For years, Delhiites have been receiving inflated water bills…due to compounding interest,” Singh stated. “We have taken a historic step to end this injustice.”

Beyond the LPSC waiver, the government is taking steps to streamline water access. Fees to regularize illegal water connections in unauthorized colonies have been drastically reduced, from ₹26,000 to ₹1,000 for domestic connections and from ₹61,000 to ₹5,000 for non-domestic connections. The number of authorized water meter installers will also be increased to address a backlog of approximately one lakh connection requests, currently costing the DJB an estimated ₹51 crore annually.

The DJB board also approved a ₹90 crore grant for laying pipelines related to sewage treatment plants, allowing treated water to be used for irrigation and other purposes.

According to Minister Singh, a staggering ₹80,463 crore of the total ₹87,589 crore in outstanding water bill dues is attributable to LPSC. The government hopes the waiver scheme will incentivize residents to settle their outstanding balances and improve the DJB’s financial health.

Awareness and facilitation camps will be organized across the city to help consumers calculate their dues and access the waiver. “This is the first and final scheme of its kind,” warned Singh, urging citizens to take advantage of the opportunity before it expires on March 31, 2026.

The Minister also announced that a similar, though not 100%, LPSC waiver scheme for commercial consumers will be unveiled soon.

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