AAP Govt Making Baseless, False Statements: LG Office, Delhi Govt Spar Over Alleged Subsidy To DISCOMS
The source from the LG office also alleged that the AAP government was making baseless, false, and misleading statements to cover up their actions.
New Delhi: The AAP government and its officials provided undue financial benefits to private DISCOMS under the guise of aiding the poor, an official from the LG office has claimed as per news agency ANI. The source also alleged that the AAP government was making baseless, false and misleading statements to cover up their actions.
The source claimed that the Chief Secretary submitted a report to both Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, indicating that the Power Department was not adhering to the statutory advice of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on "subsidies being paid to the DISCOMS."
"If the DERC directive is followed, it will save the government Rs 300 Cr," the source said, adding "Now that their scam of helping the DISCOMS to get kickbacks stands exposed, they are trying to somehow redeem themselves in the eyes of the people," according to ANI.
He further said that the LG in none of his communication has even suggested, leaving apart from asking the AAP government to withdraw subsidies to consumers.
According to the source, the then-Power Minister unilaterally opted not to follow the DERC direction and continued to pay the extra Rs 300 crore to DISCOMS even after the LG repeatedly called for a subsidy to be given to the needy who are deserving rather than to private power firms.
"The then power minister was not authorised to take this decision- Cabinet being the appropriate authority to do so. LG in his note has asked CS to bring this violation to the notice of CM and get the Cabinet to decide on the issue," the source added, as per ANI.
Taking a jibe at Power Minister Atishi, the source from the LG office said that she can ask the CM for a copy of the report rather than making false and uninformed statements against the LG.
"CM instead of attacking LG could see the report already with him, take notice of the violations done by the then Power Minister and rectify it through a Cabinet meeting," he further said, adding that it will be better if the government stops misleading people behind fig leaves provided by withdrawn DERC orders, which were obviously withdrawn after the scam came to light.
On Friday, Atishi had raised concerns about the Power Department and accused senior officials of working with the LG to prevent free electricity from being provided to Delhi residents.
"The Chief Secretary and the senior officials of the Power Department are conspiring to negotiate a deal with power companies and provide them benefits on the directions of the LG. This whole conspiracy is being hatched to stop the people of Delhi from getting free electricity," she said.
Atishi said that on March 10, she came to know through the media that the LG has sent a file related to 200 units of free electricity supply to the Chief Secretary.
"This file was to be presented before the Cabinet within 15 days. But it has neither reached the CM nor the Power Minister for discussion,' Atishi claimed.
"For 14 days, instead of reaching the Chief Minister and the Power Minister, the concerned file is being circulated in the offices of the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary. What are the officials trying to hide?" she asked.
The Power Minister said that she has repeatedly asked the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary about this file but she received no answer.
"The question arises as to why this file has not reached the minister till now, but no answer has been received on this. This is a serious matter related to the people of Delhi. On 10th March, this file was sent by the LG to the Chief Secretary. Today, even after 14 days have passed, that important file has not reached the Power Minister," she said.
The Power Minister went on to say that such an act suggests that there is a big conspiracy behind this whole incident.
"Under the directions of the LG, the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary are trying to make profits by conniving with power companies while depriving the people of Delhi of 200 units of free electricity," she alleged.
The matter has been sent to the Standing Committee on Public Facilities for investigation.
(With ANI inputs)
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