DJB authorised to clear projects up to ₹50 cr. to boost Yamuna clean-up
According to the revised financial powers, the DJB Chairman can now clear projects up to ₹50 crore, the Chief Executive Officer up to ₹25 crore, and a DJB member up to ₹5 crore.
'This reform is part of our commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'minimum government, maximum governance',' Ms. Gupta said, adding that it will help eliminate red tape and accelerate development on the ground.
Ms. Gupta alleged that the previous Aam Aadmi Party government had stripped the DJB of financial powers, leading to delays and stagnation in essential infrastructure work. 'As a result, the Yamuna remained polluted and Delhiites continued to suffer from irregular water supply,' she said.
Describing the move as a 'landmark reform', the CM said her government's objective is to clean the Yamuna rapidly and effectively by treating polluted drain water with modern systems to prevent further contamination, while also ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water to residents.
'For a long time, Yamuna cleaning plans remained only on paper due to cumbersome and lengthy approval processes. That bottleneck has now been removed. Our government is committed to delivering result-oriented governance, not entangling people in paperwork,' she said.
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New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Yamuna cleaning may get push as DJB given financial muscle
NEW DELHI: The government has empowered the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) with increased financial autonomy. The DJB will now be able to independently implement high-cost projects, including Yamuna purification, drain water treatment, and improvement of regular drinking water supply, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. According to the CM, such projects will no longer require cabinet approvals as the powers of the DJB chairperson, CEO, and other senior officials have also been increased. Gupta said that the previous government had stripped the DJB of all its financial powers, which brought critical works—like Yamuna cleaning, modern drainage systems, and water supply projects—to a standstill. As a result, the Yamuna remained polluted and Delhiites continued to suffer from irregular water supply. As per the new system, the DJB has been authorised to sanction all projects with estimated cost spend over `50 crore independently. It can approve higher-budget projects internally. Also, under the revised provisions, the DJB chairperson can approve projects worth up to `50 crore, the CEO up to Rs 25 crore, members (admin/water supply/drainage) up to `5 crore and other senior officers also have enhanced powers. The CM said that this move will lead to better decision-making at every level of the board and reduce unnecessary delays in execution. She reiterated her government's objective—to rapidly and effectively clean the Yamuna, treat dirty and foul-smelling drain water through modern systems to prevent further pollution of the river, and improve the capital's drinking water supply. She pointed out that for a long time, the Yamuna cleaning plans remained only on paper due to the lengthy approval processes. That bottleneck has now been removed. 'Our government is committed to delivering result-oriented governance, not entangling people in paperwork,' the CM said. Officials said now the sewage treatment plants and desilting plants will be installed rapidly when needed.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
DJB can now sanction high-cost projects without Cabinet nod
A move that could significantly remove administrative hurdles previously faced by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Delhi government on Saturday granted financial autonomy to the civic agency, enabling it to independently approve high-cost projects, including ones exceeding Rs 50 crore. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who called it a 'historic step' towards ensuring faster implementation of critical schemes related to Yamuna rejuvenation, drain management, and drinking water supply. 'Our government is committed to delivering result-oriented governance, not entangling people in paperwork,' Gupta was quoted as saying by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Saturday. 'In a historic move, the Delhi government has, for the first time, empowered the Jal Board with real authority to take decisions and complete projects. The institution is no longer symbolic – it has now become truly autonomous and capable. The Board will no longer need to wait for Cabinet approval for projects worth crores of rupees,' stated the CMO in an X post on Saturday. 'This decision to enhance the financial powers of the Delhi Jal Board is not just an administrative reform — it is a revolutionary step towards making governance faster, more accountable, and results-driven. It will strengthen decision-making at every level, reduce delays, and make the system more transparent and responsible. This is a strong beginning in implementing Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' on the ground in Delhi,' it added. According to the revised provisions, the DJB chairperson can now approve projects up to Rs 50 crore, while the chief executive officer can sanction proposals up to Rs 25 crore. Senior DJB officials handling administration, water supply, or drainage can clear projects worth up to Rs 5 crore. Also, other senior officials have been granted enhanced financial authority under the new system. The CMO noted that these changes aim to eliminate the long-drawn-out approval process that had previously delayed crucial infrastructure work. Gupta alleged that the earlier government had curtailed DJB's financial independence, leading to stagnation in Yamuna clean-up efforts, modernisation of drainage systems, and timely execution of drinking water supply projects. She said that the DJB had effectively been stripped of its powers, rendering it non-functional in critical areas. 'The Delhi Jal Board has now truly been made a 'Board' again,' Gupta said, adding that the restored powers would allow it to function with the autonomy and accountability expected of such an institution. 'This decision reflects the power of political will and shows that when the intent is clear, large-scale, people-centric reforms can be implemented swiftly and effectively.' The CM further said that the new framework would reduce the scope for corruption and decisions would be taken in a 'more transparent and accountable' manner. 'Solutions will now move quickly and projects will be implemented on the ground – not just announced,' Gupta said. The new system is expected to help fast-track the installation of sewage treatment plants, desilting infrastructure, pipelines, booster stations, and water supply mechanisms across the city. Sources said the DJB previously faced multiple issues, including having to float low-cost tenders to escape financial bottlenecks that arise with expensive projects. In 2024, the Finance department had also directed that all DJB projects must be geo-tagged before funds could be released – a step aimed at promoting transparency and real-time monitoring.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
DJB Regains Financial Powers To Independently Execute Major Projects
New Delhi: Delhi Jal Board will now be able to independently execute capital-intensive projects without depending on the Delhi cabinet to approve them, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. Gupta said the govt has restored the financial powers of DJB, which were taken away by the previous govt in the 2021-22 financial year. This will help in expediting high-cost projects such as the rejuvenation of the Yamuna, sewage treatment, and improvement of regular drinking water supply. She added that the financial powers of DJB's chairperson, chief executive officer, and other senior officials have also been significantly increased. Gupta emphasised that the enhancement in the board's powers was aimed at making governance more efficient, responsive, and effective. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "Board, by its very definition, must be empowered and autonomous in order to function effectively. The previous govt stripped the DJB of all its financial powers, which brought critical works—like Yamuna cleaning, modern drainage systems, and water supply projects—to a standstill. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola As a result, the Yamuna remained polluted and people suffered from irregular water supply," the chief minister said, adding that the powers of the board have now been restored. The board will now be authorised to sanction all projects over Rs 50 crore independently. While the DJB chairperson (water minister) can approve projects worth Rs 25-50 crore, the CEO has the power to clear projects costing between Rs 5 crore and Rs 25 crore, and the members can give their sanction to projects worth up to Rs 5 crore. Officials said the senior officers will also have enhanced financial powers now. "This will lead to better decision-making at every level of the board and reduce unnecessary delays in execution," said an official. The CM said Yamuna cleaning plans remained only on paper for a long time due to the cumbersome and lengthy approval processes, but the bottleneck has now been removed. "Our govt is committed to delivering result-oriented governance, not entangling people in paperwork," the CM said. She added that the functioning of the DJB has now been made more transparent and accountable, which will reduce the chances of corruption and ensure responsibility at every level.
