Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that starting from October, subsidy on power bills in Delhi would be extended only to customers who apply for it.
Kejriwal said power consumers in Delhi can give a missed call on 7011311111 to opt for the subsidy from Wednesday.
He also added that online and offline methods will be made available to consumers to opt for power subsidies.
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Subsidy only for those opting for it
Kejriwal said many people wanted to give up power subsidies in Delhi.
“Those who want to avail subsidy will get a form to apply. They can also give a missed call on 7011311111 whereby they will get a form on WhatsApp to apply for subsidy,” he said.
Those applying for subsidy till October 31 will be paid subsidy of the month. Every month people can apply for the subsidy, he added.
Kejriwal had announced in May that from October 1, power subsidy would be provided to only those consumers who specifically ask for it.
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200 units of free electricity in Delhi
Domestic consumers in Delhi who use up to 200 units of electricity in a month get 100 per cent subsidy.
The AAP government also provides 50 per cent subsidy (up to Rs 800) to over 16.59 lakh consumers who use 201-400 units per month.
Free power was one of the biggest poll promises the AAP made in Delhi, which many believed had played a crucial role in the party getting a historic mandate in the national capital.
AAP sells free power idea in other states
Kejriwal and AAP have also pitched the same idea in states including Punjab during the assembly elections earlier this year.
After coming to power in Punjab, the AAP government followed through on its promise and made the use of up to 600 units of electricity in the billing cycle (2 months) free.
The AAP had also made a similar promise in Goa, but it did not help the party in the elections.
Earlier this year, Kejriwal who joined hands with a local political outfit called Twenty-20 in Kerala had promised free electricity to the people of the state if the party comes to power there.
Who really pays for the free power?
While free power is good news for the consumers, critics have pointed out that it is not so free as the government subsidises the same to discoms, with tax revenue.
In 2021 the Delhi government had allocated Rs 3,090 crore for its Special Electricity Subsidy Scheme.
In March 2022 the Delhi Power Department had asked the government to allocate Rs 3,200 crore to continue the subsidy scheme.
