Subsidy for up to 400 units in effect from August 11
The power subsidy announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for domestic consumers of the national Capital came into effect on August 11. However ambiguity remains whether the consumers whose electricity bill exceeds 400 units a month will get this benefit or not. The Power Department is going to issue subsidy order to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and three discoms on Wednesday. It is believed with this subsidy coming into effect, the power bills of 75 per cent domestic consumers will come down in the city.
The subsidy is Rs 1.20 per unit for consumption up to 200 units and Rs 80 paise for 201 to 400 units. It will be in force for an eight-month period ending March 31, 2015. The provision for subsidy of Rs 1.20 paisa per unit for consumers of 0-200 and 80 paisa for 201 to 400 units was made by erstwhile Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre has decided to continue the subsidy and the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced a subsidy of Rs 260 crore in Delhi Budget 2014-15 to give relief to power consumers who were smarting under the increased power tariff by the DERC.
Sources told The Pioneer that after getting approval from lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Government’s Power Department is going to issue orders for granting subsidy to power consumers with effect from August 11, the day the Appropriation Bill was passed.
The order is being sent to DERC and three discoms. There is no clarity whether this order will benefit only those who don’t consume more than 400 units per month or it will provide benefit to all consumers. Officials say that reduction in bills of domestic power consumers will help BJP to take decision regarding fresh elections in the Capital.