On Friday, Delhi Power Minister Atishi claimed that the estimated 46 lakh households that benefit from the AAP government’s power subsidy scheme would lose access to it as of Saturday because Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena was sitting on the file.
However, LG House officials said that Saxena approved the scheme on Thursday and that the file was sent to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, dismissing Atishi’s allegations as part of a “drama” by the AAP government. They also advised Atishi to “refrain from unnecessary politicking” and called her allegations “baseless and fake.”
“As of today, the power subsidy being provided to 46 lakh Delhi families will be discontinued…”The Delhi government’s scheme to benefit lawyers, farmers, and families of 1984 riot victims will be discontinued,” Atishi said at a press conference.
“This means that starting tomorrow, power bills will no longer be subject to subsidized rates…Those who previously received zero bills will now receive higher bills, as will those who previously received a 50% rebate on their power bills… “This is due to the L-G’s stalling of the file related to the Delhi cabinet’s decision to continue the power subsidy in the coming year,” she explained.
The power minister, who had written to Saxena about the issue the day before and requested a meeting to discuss it, claimed that Raj Niwas officials had deliberately delayed the file.
Atishi stated that the Delhi government could not proceed with the scheme’s funding until the file was returned to it from the L-G’s office. She stated that one of the private power distribution companies raised the issue of funding for the scheme in a letter to her.
“I received letters (from discoms) stating that because they had not received any information regarding the power subsidy thus far, they were going to begin billing at normal rates today,” the minister explained.
“As soon as I received the first letter from the discom, I requested time from the L-G to discuss the issue, which concerns the welfare of 46 lakh Delhi families…”I requested a five-minute meeting with him to discuss an urgent matter,” she explained. “That appointment request was made 24 hours ago, but a minister from an elected government still does not have time for an appointment with the L-G.”
According to LG House officials, the file was approved by the L-G on Thursday evening and had already been sent to the CM on Friday morning. LG House officials accused Atishi of “misleading people with false statements,” adding that the decision on the power subsidy, which had a deadline of April 15, had been deliberately kept pending at the end, with the file being sent to Raj Niwas only on April 11.
“If at all, she and the CM should explain to the people of Delhi why a decision in this matter was delayed until April 4th when the deadline was April 15th.” Why was the file sent to LG on April 11th? And why stage a drama on April 13th by writing a letter and holding a press conference when the file was already approved last night and sent to the CM this morning?” LG House officials inquired.
