Delhi Govt's Power Subsidy To End Today As LG Saxena's Nod For Its Extension Pending: Power Minister

Delhi minister Aitishi said that the AAP government's power subsidy will end today as its extension has not been cleared by LG VK Saxena.

Delhi Power Minister Aitishi on Friday said that the power subsidy given by the Aam Aadmi Party government will end today as the file for its extension has not been returned by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Power subsidy to 46 lakh families will end today as VK Saxena's approval of the Cabinet decision to extend the subsidy is pending, she claimed. The Power Minister stressed that the Delhi government has allocated a budget for the subsidy but the money cannot be released until Saxena returns the file sent for approval. 

"From today, the subsidised electricity given to the people of Delhi will be stopped. This means from tomorrow, the subsidised bills will not be given. This subsidy is stopped because the AAP government has taken the decision to continue the subsidy for the coming year, but that file is with Delhi LG and continued to be with him. Till the file doesn't come back, the AAP government cannot release the money for the subsidy," she said.

Aitishi stressed that the Delhi government has the money allocated in the budget for the subsidy but is not in the position to be able to release it. The AAP government allocated Rs 3,250 crore for power subsidy in its budget for 2023-24.

She said she had sought an appointment with the Delhi LG to discuss the subsidy issue for five minutes but received no response.

"I was asked which topic I wanted to address with the LG, I told them I wanted to discuss the power subsidy matter. That request for an appointment has been pending for 24 hours and LG has not been able to give 5 minutes of his time to me, a minister of an elected government. He has not returned the file either. Consequently, power companies will resume billing the residents normally and end the subsidy," she remarked.

"I plead to him with folded hands to return the power subsidy file so that 46 lakh Delhi families don't face any inconvenience," the AAP leader added.

Earlier, Atishi had alleged a "conspiracy" by LG VK Saxena and the BJP to stop the power subsidy under the Arvind Kejriwal government's free electricity scheme.

In a letter to Saxena, she wrote it was "deeply distressing" that a minister of an elected government was not getting time from the Lt Governor.

Atishi termed it as an "emergency situation" in Delhi as lakhs of power consumers may not get their electricity subsidy since a file with the Cabinet decision on the issue has not been returned by the LG Office.

She expressed apprehension about the BJP "trying to stop" the electricity subsidy, adding, "Now it appears that is exactly what is going to happen".

Power Minister Atishi's Claim On Appointment 'Misleading And False': LG Office

On the other hand, the LG office had termed her claim "misleading and false", asserting that her request for an appointment was under "active consideration".

Reacting to the claim, the LG office stated, "Again misleading and false statements are being made by/on behalf of the power minister. A request has been received TODAY from her office at 12:26 pm and is under active consideration. LG has NOT refused to meet her."

The AAP government in Delhi provides free electricity to consumers with 200 units of monthly consumption. Those having 201 to 400 units of consumption per month get a 50 per cent subsidy capped at Rs 850.

Last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that a power subsidy would be provided to only those consumers who apply for it. Over 48 lakh among more than 58 lakh domestic consumers have applied for power subsidy, news agency PTI reported citing official figures.