NEW DELHI, July 15 -- The Delhi government may seal buildings where previous Delhi Jal Board (DJB) infrastructure fund charges (IFC) remain unpaid, Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Wednesday, alleging collusion between some builders and DJB officials.
Singh said a preliminary internal enquiry found several large group housing societies had been constructed without payment of the mandatory IFC charges. The government has sought details from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of all building plans approved over the past five years to identify discrepancies.
According to the minister, around 300 properties measuring 3,000 square metres and above may have evaded the charges, causing an estimated revenue loss of Rs 2,000 crore to the DJB. He said unpaid dues would be recovered with penalties, and buildings could also be sealed. The government recently simplified the IFC policy, significantly reducing charges for larger properties while retaining exemptions for plots up to 200 square metres.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.