"It (privatisation) is necessary in the water distribution sector. We want to replicate the same model for water distribution sector that we adopted in the power sector," said Dikshit when asked whether her government has decided to privatise the water sector.
Senior officials admit involving the private sector may result in a rise in water tariff.
The Chief Minister had been pushing for initiating "reforms" in water sector, arguing that private entities must be involved to improve water distribution and that people must be made to "pay for every drop" of water they use so that they know the value of the scarce resource.
Criticising Dikshit's comments, senior BJP leader V K Malhotra warned the government against privatising the water sector, alleging it is being initiated to benefit the "vested interests".
"There seems to be a method in madness in this move. Because it is blatantly meant to help the water mafia and their supporters. They will not only hike the charges but will also systematically grab land worth hundreds of crores belonging to DJB," said Malhotra.
