Arvind Kejriwal pitches Delhi power subsidy scheme as AAP’s selling point in other states too.
New Delhi:
Another front opened today in the ongoing war between the BJP-ruled Centre and Delhi’s AAP government — this time over the free electricity scheme, one of Arvind Kejriwal’s calling cards. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has directed the Chief Secretary to inquire into alleged “irregularities and discrepancies” in the power subsidy given by Arvind Kejriwal’s government, news agency ANI reported. He wants a report in seven days.
This comes just over three months after he ordered a CBI inquiry into the since-withdrawn liquor policy. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is one of 15 accused named in that case.
The alleged scam in power subsidy is linked to payments by the state government to private companies that supply electricity in the national capital.
Delhi has 58 lakh domestic power consumers, of whom 47 lakh avail the subsidy — including 30 lakh who get zero bills as consumption of less than 200 units is free. About 17 lakh get a 50-per cent subsidy, which is for consumption of up to 400 units. The government pays the companies for this.
The AAP has not yet reacted to the probe order.
After the case over the New Excise Policy — which had brought private players into the liquor trade — the AAP had accused Mr Saxena of a scam in the Khadi and Village Industries Corporation, which he headed before being appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi by the union government earlier this year.
The AAP government recently made a key change in the power subsidy scheme — now only those who opt for the subsidy will receive it. It came into effect last Saturday, and more tha 25 lakh consumers have applied so far.
