Amid the ongoing tussle over power subsidy,  Delhi Lieutenant-Governor VK  Saxena cleared the Arvind Kejriwal Government’s electricity subsidy scheme. Earlier, Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Friday declared an end to all such subsidies effective from the coming week because the L-G’s office had not cleared a proposal sent by her office.

Lambasting the Power Minister for making false and misleading statement on power subsidy, the Raj Niwas on Friday said that the file related to continuing power subsidy was signed by Thursday late and sent to Chief Minister on Friday, before her Press Conference. Subsidised electricity bills are a trademark of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party - similar measures are in place in Punjab, the other state it rules, and promises were made ahead of elections in Goa and other states last year.

 “They are trying to save face, having obviously been caught on a very very embarrassing and wrong foot. The Power Minister is advised to refrain from unnecessary politicking and baseless false allegations against LG. She should stop misleading people with false statements,” Raj Niwas said in a statement soon after Atishi held a press conference, alleging that power subsidy to nearly 46 lakh people in the city will cease from Friday onwards as Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena is yet to clear the file to extend the subsidy to consumers.

“If at all she and the Chief Minister should answer the people of Delhi as to why was a decision in this regard kept pending till 4th April when the deadline was 15th April? Why was the file sent to LG on 11th April? And What was the need for a drama on 13th April by writing a letter and the Press Conference today, after the LG had already approved the file ?,” reads the statement.

In what could emerge as the latest flashpoint between the city government and the Lt Governor office, the minister said she has sought a meeting with Saxena over the issue but there has been 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.

 The minister said the Delhi Cabinet has approved the extension of power subsidy for the year 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 said that the file was sent a few days back and a response is still awaited.

 “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.

On Thursday, the minister also claimed she had sought a five-minute meeting with Saxena but had ‘not gotten time…’

“It is deeply disappointing that despite the urgency of the issue, I have not gotten time…” She tweeted a photo of a letter she said had sent to Saxena’s office and held the LG responsible for delaying clearance despite the AAP government having approved subsidies for another year.

 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. According to official figures, over 48 lakh among more than 58 lakh domestic consumers have applied for power subsidy.  The AAP has government allocated Rs 3,250 crore for power subsidy in its budget for 2023-24.