New Delhi, May 5 (FN Representative) From October onwards, a subsidy on electricity consumption in Delhi will only be given to those who would ask for it. In a major decision taken in the Delhi Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the subsidised electricity in the national capital will be made optional. “People will be given a choice – whether they want it or not,” he announced during a digital address. “Cheap electricity will be made optional in Delhi. It will be left to the consumers whether they want to continue with the subsidy or want to leave it. If someone considers himself capable, then he can tell the Delhi government that he does not want electricity subsidy and he can use normal rate electricity. The work of asking people about this will start soon,” the CM said.
Currently, power is free for people consuming less than 200 units a month and those consuming between 201 units and 400 units are eligible to avail 50% subsidy from the government on their bills. The new rule will be implemented from 1 October, Kejriwal said. The announcement has come amid the power crisis faced by many states due to the coal shortage in the country. Delhi Government also rang an alarm over low inventory of coal at thermal plants supplying Power to the national capital. Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain has recently written to Union Power minister RK Singh with details of low coal stock at such thermal power plants urging the Centre to ensure adequate availability of coal for uninterrupted electricity supply in Delhi.