A high-level meeting of Electricity and DJB departments chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday could not arrive at a decision to provide cheaper power and free water. A decision to this effect is likely to be taken in the next two to three days. Officials said the Government will incur additional burden of Rs1,400 crore on power subsidy while 20 kilolitre of free water per month to every consumer will cost nearly Rs500 crore to the department. Meanwhile, top sources said that the Delhi Government has identified at least dozen of departments, which will give detailed presentation before the Chief Minister on Thursday.
The head of departments (HoDs) will give power-point presentation on achievements, role and challenges being faced by them. The departments were told to come up with a roadmap for implementing the Government’s 70-point agenda that includes 50 per cent power tariff reduction, 700 litre free water daily, free Wi-Fi facility and installation of 10-15 lakh CCTVs. After being sworn in as Chief Minister, Kejriwal had directed Chief Secretary DM Spolia to prepare a proposal by February 19 to fulfil AAP’s poll promises in its manifesto. Besides, the HoDs have been briefing the Ministers concerned about their departments.
In its election manifesto, the AAP had promised to build two lakh public toilets across Delhi, set up 20 new colleges, regulate private schools’ fees, add 30,000 more beds to Delhi hospitals and create eight lakh new jobs in the next five years if it came to power. Meanwhile, the Delhi Government decided to oppose discoms’ plea of power tariff hike till their accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). According to Power Minister Satyendra Jain, the demand of discoms seeking power tariff hike is unfair and will ask DERC not to hike tariff until CAG audit of discoms’ account is completed.