Amid Controversy, LG Saxena Approves Extension of Delhi’s Power Subsidy

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 15th April. Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved the extension of Delhi’s power subsidy, ending a squabble between the LG office and the AAP government after Power Minister Atishi said the scheme would end on Friday because Saxena was holding back the file to extend the subsidy.

In the ensuing blame game, the Lt Governor’s office stated that the power subsidy file was received from the government on April 11 and was returned on Friday morning.

“The file was signed yesterday and sent to CM today, before a press conference by Atishi. They are trying to save face, having obviously been caught on a very very embarrassing and wrong foot,” said an officer at the LG office.

According to a Delhi government official, the LG signed the file to extend the city’s power subsidy.

“The file of subsidy was held back by the LG and a press conference was held by the Power minister in this issue,” he said.

In a media briefing earlier in the day, Atishi stated that power subsidies for 46 lakh consumers will cease on Friday due to a lack of approval from the LG.

However, the Lt Governor’s office stated that Saxena approved the extension of power subsidies for the fiscal year 2023-24 and accused Atishi of making false allegations.

In what could become the latest squabble between the city government and the Lt Governor’s office, the minister stated that she has requested a meeting with Saxena on the matter but has received no response.

“The subsidy we give to 46 lakh people will stop from today. From Monday onwards, people will get inflated bills without subsidy,” she said in a press conference here.

According to the minister, the Delhi Cabinet has approved the extension of power subsidies for 2023-24, but the file is still pending in the LG office.

“Till the file is approved we can’t give subsidy. I even sought time from the LG office to discuss the matter but it’s been more than 24 hours and I have not been given time. The file has also not come back yet,” she alleged.

Atishi stated that the file was sent a few days ago and that a response is still pending.

“The budget for this subsidy has been passed by the Vidhan Sabha. The government has money for subsidy but we cannot spend it,” she said.

Reacting to her allegations, an LG House official said, “The power minister is advised to refrain from unnecessary politicking and baseless false allegations against the LG. She should stop misleading people with false statements. If at all she and the CM should answer the people of Delhi as to why was a decision in this regard kept pending till April 4 when the deadline was April 15? Why was the file sent to LG on April 11? And what was the need for a drama on April 13 by writing a letter and then a press conference today?”

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.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced last year that a power subsidy would be provided only to those who applied for it. According to official figures, over 48 lakh domestic consumers out of a total of 58 lakh have applied for power subsidies.

In its budget for 2023-24, the AAP government has set aside Rs 3,250 crore for power subsidies.