The Delhi government has reopened the process of issuing fresh ration cards under changed eligibility criteria after a gap of 13 years. According to reports from Zee News, this move is anticipated to help thousands of low-income families who have not been able to apply for subsidised food benefits for over a decade. The new rules enable families living in Delhi to submit applications if their annual household income is within the newly prescribed limit. As part of this comprehensive reform package, the Delhi government has also announced significant reductions in water and sewer infrastructure charges, marking a major shift in utility billing structures.
The authorities have simplified the application process by allowing online and offline submissions. As reported by Zee News, this change aims to make the process more accessible to potential applicants. The new system is designed to reduce barriers and improve the efficiency of the ration card issuance process for eligible families. The government has also introduced a new online application system from May 15 to streamline the process further and make it more citizen-friendly.
The Delhi government has implemented major reforms to water and sewer infrastructure charges, introducing usage-based billing instead of total property area calculations. Under the revised system, Delhi Jal Board infrastructure charges will now be levied strictly based on actual water requirement rather than the previous system. The new framework includes significant reductions across all categories: A & B category colonies reduced from ₹13.18 lakh to ₹5.4 lakh, E & F category colonies reduced to ₹2.7 lakh, and G & H category colonies reduced to ₹1.62 lakh. Industrial properties with 1,000 sq. m will see charges reduced from ₹57.67 lakh to ₹8.91 lakh.
The revised framework introduces substantial exemptions and rebates to make the system more transparent and fair for citizens. 50% rebate is available for institutions registered under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, with additional 50% relief for religious institutions. Up to 50% reduction in sewer infrastructure charges is available for properties using Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems with functional STPs. However, the government has warned that if ZLD systems are found non-functional, the exemption will be withdrawn and a penalty of 0.5% per day will be imposed. Non-FAR areas and open spaces will now be excluded from fee calculations, with procedures simplified for properties above 200 sq. m.
