Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

AAP keeps poll promise; halves power tariff, gives free water

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Feb, 2015 11:24 AM
    The AAP government Wednesday halved the power tariff for up to 400 units per month and said it would supply 20,000 litres of water free to Delhi's metered households from March 1 - keeping its two big-ticket poll promises.
     
    While the cut in electricity rates through subsidy will benefit over 36 lakh families - 90 percent of the domestic consumers - the free water will be provided to all the 18 lakh metered households in the capital, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters.
     
    He said after a cabinet meeting here that the power subsidy would cost the exchequer Rs.1,427 crore annually, while the free water would cost of Rs.250 crore.
     
    A consumer will have to pay Rs.2 per unit for up to 200 units a month, in comparison to the Rs.4 per unit at present, which has a subsidy of Rs.1.20 per unit.
     
    For those consuming between 200-400 units, the cost would be down from Rs.5.95 per unit to Rs.2.97. In this slab too, there is an existing subsidy of 80 paise - announced by the central government in last year's budget.
     
    However, there is a rider. The consumer will be charged full rates from zero base if the electricity consumption crosses 400 units. 
     
    This also applies to the free water consumption.
     
    "The relief in electricity bills will be provided to domestic consumers till the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) audit of private power distribution companies (discoms) is completed," a government statement said.
     
    During its last stint of 49 days in Delhi in 2013-2014, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government had cut power rates by 50 percent and made 667 litres of water per day for all metered households free. The Aam Aadmi Party had highlighted these two populist measures during its campaign in the run up to the Feb 7 Delhi elections.
     
    "The reduction in power tariff will benefit 36,06,428 families, which is around 90 percent of the domestic consumers," Sisodia said.
     
    "The people gave us an unprecedented mandate in the election. Like last time, we will do what we say. We want the burden of paying huge electricity bills off the common man's shoulder," he added.
     
    Sisodia said the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been directed to speed up the process of setting up infrastructure to provide free water to colonies which do not have pipelines. 
     
    The group housing societies will also get the benefit of free water.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    266 Kg Gold Missing From Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Audit Report

    266 Kg Gold Missing From Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Audit Report
    As much as 266 kg gold is missing from the famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here, says former chief government auditor Vinod Rai in his audit report submitted to the apex court.

    266 Kg Gold Missing From Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: Audit Report

    Tourism And Culture Minister Assures Support To Promote Punjab's Heritage

    Tourism And Culture Minister Assures Support To Promote Punjab's Heritage
    Union Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma Friday met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and assured support to promote the rich culture and heritage of his state.

    Tourism And Culture Minister Assures Support To Promote Punjab's Heritage

    Why Thieves No Longer Love Your iPhones

    Why Thieves No Longer Love Your iPhones
    Smartphones, particularly iPhones, are no longer the favourites of discerning lifters, recent data shows. The reason: the "kill switch" is proving the killjoy for the thieves.

    Why Thieves No Longer Love Your iPhones

    Celebrating Valentine's Day As Mom's Day - Order Withdrawn

    Celebrating Valentine's Day As Mom's Day - Order Withdrawn
    A directive asking schools and colleges in Maharashtra's Satara district to celebrate St. Valentine's Day as "Mother's Day" was withdrawn Friday, an official said.

    Celebrating Valentine's Day As Mom's Day - Order Withdrawn

    Blame Game In Congress Over Delhi Result, Sonia Gandhi Intervenes

    Blame Game In Congress Over Delhi Result, Sonia Gandhi Intervenes
    A blame game broke out in the Congress Thursday over its washout in the Delhi assembly polls with former chief minister Sheila Dikshit blaming party campaign chief Ajay Maken. Party president Sonia Gandhi intervened to ask senior party leaders to observe restraint.

    Blame Game In Congress Over Delhi Result, Sonia Gandhi Intervenes

    Amrvind Kejriwal Meets Modi, Seeks Statehood For Delhi

    Amrvind Kejriwal Meets Modi, Seeks Statehood For Delhi
    Two days before he takes oath as Delhi's chief minister, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised the issue of granting full statehood to the capital.

    Amrvind Kejriwal Meets Modi, Seeks Statehood For Delhi