Kejriwal starts to fulfil promises – Halves power tariff & gives 20K litres free water

@theindpanorama

10 years ago

Within twelve days of coming back to power in Delhi, AAP government earlier today slashed power tariff by 50 percent for consumption up to 400 units per month and 20,000 litres of free water per household every month.

“The reduction in power tariff will benefit 36,06,428 families, which is around 90 percent of the city’s population,” Sisodia said, adding that those consuming over 400 units would have to pay the full bill. Water tariff will also be charged if the consumption limit exceeds 20,000 litres. The rates will come into effect from March 1, announced Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia here after a Cabinet meeting.

On free power scheme, Sisodia said the government will review power rates after Comptroller and Auditor General of India completes audit of the accounts of the power discoms. The announcements came on the heels of Kejriwal’s meeting with Comptroller and Auditor General Shashi Kant Sharma to assess the status of the audit of power companies ordered by the first AAP government more than a year ago. In January last year, Kejriwal had ordered a CAG audit of the finances of the three power companies – BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. It had even warned the discoms that their licenses may be cancelled if they do not cooperate with the audit. Delhi discoms are a 51:49 per cent joint venture between the private companies and the Delhi government.

Slashing power tariff and giving free water were two of the key electoral promises made by the AAP ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, which the party won with a landslide majority.