More people availed electricity subsidy since BJP took charge in Delhi compared to AAP in the same period last year: Govt data

According to official data, a total of 49.6 lakh consumers availed the subsidy in October this year. Of these, 26.5 lakh received zero electricity bills, while 23.04 lakh benefited from the 50% subsidy. In comparison, October last year saw 47.7 lakh beneficiaries, with 24.6 lakh receiving free electricity and 23.1 lakh availing the half-bill subsidy.

Officials noted that the number of consumers receiving zero bills typically increases from October onwards, coinciding with the onset of winter in Delhi. “The number of consumers receiving zero bills increases in winters as there is no need for air-conditioners, fans… so, the electricity usage decreases. However, it increases in the summers,” said a senior government official.

Since the BJP formed the government in Delhi in February, the total number of electricity consumers availing subsidies has consistently risen compared to the same months under AAP’s tenure last year.

In February this year, 56.8 lakh consumers benefited from the subsidy, up from 49.8 lakh in February 2024. The trend continued in subsequent months: 54.4 lakh in March 2025 versus 52.8 lakh in March 2024; 55.7 lakh in April 2025 compared to 52.9 lakh in April 2024; 47.2 lakh in May 2025 against 45.4 lakh in May 2024; 40.9 lakh in June 2025 versus 34.2 lakh in June 2024; 40.7 lakh in July 2025 compared to 36.4 lakh in July 2024; 40.7 lakh in August 2025 against 38.3 lakh in August 2024; and 40.7 lakh in September 2025 compared to 44.7 lakh in September 2024.

Breaking down the figures further, this year’s zero-bill beneficiaries included 43.8 lakh in February, 43.7 lakh in March, 36.9 lakh in April, 24.8 lakh in May, 19.7 lakh in June, 18.2 lakh in July, 19.3 lakh in August, and 21.9 lakh in September.

In contrast, the number of consumers who received zero-amount electricity bills in the same  period in 2024 were: 35.8 lakh in February, 42.3 lakh in March, 36.2 lakh in April, 24.3 lakh in May, 16.5 lakh in June, 16.4 lakh in July, 16.8 lakh in

August, and 21.4 lakh in September.

Officials estimate that Delhi has around 60 lakh domestic electricity consumers. The BJP government has allocated a budget of Rs 3,843 crore for the power department, out of which Rs 3,600 crore is earmarked for subsidies.