No change in Delhi’s free power scheme, other subsidies: Govt

Delhi power minister Atishi said that the state government’s commitment to people on free power has been made clear by the decision.

This comes after Atishi alleged that the L-G had tried to stop the free power scheme in the city, a charge denied by officials in the latter’s office.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, said that the AAP-led government was trying to give benefits to private power discoms by providing the subsidy money to them directly, instead of giving direct transfers to consumers.

“It is this government’s commitment that the free power scheme will continue. Consumers using up to 200 units will continue to get free power and those using between 200 and 400 units will get 50 per cent subsidy. Lawyers, farmers and 1984 riots victims will also continue to get free power. Additionally, those who opted for subsidy in October will not have to reapply till April 2024,” Atishi said.

Last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the power subsidy scheme, which was till then applicable to all power consumers in the city, will be optional. Those who wanted to continue getting the waiver had to fill a form indicating their preference.

Dust-control

“Over 1,400 kilometres of roads that come under PWD will be cleaned by PWD itself. Earlier, MCD was responsible for cleaning (them). For this purpose, 70 road sweeping machines will be bought and for each of the 250 MCD wards, 250 water sprinkling machines, integrated with anti-smog guns, will be bought. A total of Rs 2,388 crore will be spent on this in 7-10 years. In the first year, Rs 257 crore will be spent. These machines will be provided with 1,500 kilolitres of water per day in the form of treated water from Sewage Treatment Plants by DJB,” Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

Camps for the differently abled

Social Welfare Department will set up camps to provide artificial limbs, mechanised tricycles and other aids to differently-abled people. “A government company will be given the contract for these items,” said Bharadwaj.