Announcing the hike, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the consumption linked tariff structure will help the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) meet its increasing operational cost and modernise the entire distribution network.

As per the new tariff structure, consumers who were paying monthly water charge of Rs 52 for consuming 10 kilo litres of water will have to pay Rs 82 from the next billing cycle beginning January one.

Similarly, the consumers who were shelling out Rs 82 for consumption of 20 kilo litres of water will now have to pay Rs 180, an increase of more than two times.

The Government also announced a more than two and half times increase for the consumers whose monthly consumption is 30 kilo litre of water.

These consumers will have to now shell out Rs 470 against the existing charge of Rs 187.

The revised rates will come into effect from 1st January, next year.

Justifying the hike, Dikshit, who is also chairperson of the DJB, said the water charges have been increased after a gap of five years and the new tariff structure will help in ensuring 'disciplined use' of the precious commodity.

The BJP, however slammed the government for the hike, terming it as an 'assault on the citizens'.#