The three power discoms in the Capital are finally set to get their subsidy dues by Thursday. The final nod of the lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung in the matter is awaited on Tuesday. However, with the fall of Kejriwal Government, uncertainty looms over the continuation of the 50 per cent power subsidy to consumers after March 31 as the findings of the CAG audit will easily take months to be out.
“The dues will be given to the discoms within two days. The file is expected to go for the l-G’s consent on Tuesday after which it will be dispensed to the discoms latest by Thursday,” said Ankur Garg, Special Secretary (Power). Quashing the final hope of BSES of getting the due amount directly or adjusting it with central power generating company NTPC’s outstanding amount, the Government, on Monday, went ahead with the procedure of adjusting the money with State-owned generating companies — PPCl and IPGCl.
The Aam Aadmi Party Government may have fallen, but it has left behind huge financial burden on the Delhi Government. The Government has to pay nearly Rs 400 crore to the three power utilities out of which it owes Rs 37 crore to BSES Rajdhani and Rs 25 crore to BSES Yamuna for the October-December quarter. After former Chief Minister Kejriwal announced a 50 per cent subsidy on bills to keep its key poll promise, the Government now is bound to shell out Rs 228 crore for the increased subsidy from this quarter to pay to the BSES. Similarly, it owes Tata Power Delhi Rs 110 crore in subsidy dues.
Meanwhile with March inching closer, clouds of doubt are shadowing the Capital regarding continuation of the 50 per cent power subsidy for those consuming electricity up to 400 units. This comes at a backdrop when the 50 per cent waiver of around 24,000 defaulting consumers is stuck in limbo.
“We have to gauge all the options and take legal opinion accordingly. The previous Government was relying on audit results to continue the subsidy beyond March. But, the audit is bound to take several months and now everything is for the l-G to decide,” said a Government official.