Delhi budget for 2014-15 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Friday. It is expected that the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre will reintroduce the power subsidy as a relief for consumers. The quantum of subsidy, if introduced, has to be decided by the Centre.
The State Government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for power subsidy. The Capital has a budget outlay of Rs 32,732 crore for 2014-15 which was approved in the interim budget by the UPA Government. Just before the code of conduct came into force in March, for lok Sabha polls scheduled in April, the Congress-led UPA Government had approved the budget allocation for six months out of the total outlay. But it did not extend the subsidy, though a provision for introducing it was made.
Ever since power was privatized in 2002, Delhiites have had the advantage of subsidized power in varied slabs for consumers of up to 400 units. The Arvind Kejriwal Government had in its 49-day tenure extended the subsidy component, bringing down the power bills of consumers in slabs of 0-200 units and 201-400 units by nearly half. However, the benefit was withdrawn, leaving the people reeling under the impact of very high bills from April 1.
It is learnt that the finance ministry has been presented department-wise details of targets achieved, financial health and status of projects along with proposals for the current fiscal. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been apprised of the budget proposals. The Delhi budget will require the approval of both Houses.