After bricking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its ‘freebies’ – from electricity to water and free transport for women – both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have decided to change tack ahead of the next Delhi assembly elections. year To boost its support base, especially among the poor, both parties will offer free electricity – AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘first and popular reverie’ – but bigger and better, leaders said.
According to Delhi government officials, there is electricity subsidy from the Congress-led Sheila Dixit government but zero bill for up to 200 units and 50% subsidy for up to 400 units was introduced by the AAP government. Full consumption charges are currently levied above 400 units.
In the revised budget estimates for 2024-25, the government has allocated an additional Rs 350 crore for the electricity subsidy scheme; It had allocated a budget of Rs 3,250 crore in March.
Statistics show that on an average, around 22 lakh households get zero bills while 40.22 lakh domestic electricity consumers avail electricity subsidy from the Delhi government. The data also shows that the AAP government spent Rs 24,944.65 crore on power subsidy through discoms in the last 10 years from 2014-15.
What’s on offer?
On its part, the BJP has announced that it will not only continue the electricity subsidy implemented by the ruling AAP government but will extend it to business owners and middle-class residents if it comes to power. “The party has decided that after coming to power all public welfare schemes will continue – the BJP will deliver it better than ever and extend it to new sections of the people,” Delhi BJP chief Birendra Sachdeva said while announcing the party last week. ‘Meri Delhi Mera Sankalp BJP’ campaign.
Asked what more the BJP is proposing to counter the AAP, Sachdeva told The Indian Express: “All the welfare schemes going on in Delhi will continue because these schemes are not run by any party, but are government schemes from state funds. After we come to power we will reduce electricity surcharges like PPAC (Power Purchase Adjustment Cost), pension charges, load, cess etc. In this way other sections of the society can also avail the facility and the discoms will get their income. For example, this summer the actual bill was Rs 40 but after the surcharge, people are bringing bills of Rs 100. In Haryana, the commercial electricity consumption charge per unit is Rs 8. But in Delhi, it is Rs 18 to Rs 22. Per unit… When Haryana can charge Rs 8 per unit (as commercial charges) why can’t Delhi? These are the additions that BJP will bring after coming to power. We are planning and working.”
Asked about the party’s ‘free ki revdy’ jibe against AAP earlier, a senior BJP official said: “After the survey and analysis of voting patterns in Delhi, the party has realized that people are very concerned about subsidy schemes – especially free. Bijli. It’s AAP’s The strong pitch is why it gained popularity … and the lower middle class vote percentage is high. However, a large number of middle and upper middle classes are not taking advantage of this scheme … to break that code For, the BJP will continue the exciting subsidy, proving the AAP wrong, and also promise to take the scheme to those sections. Currently not taking advantage of it.”
BJP officials said they have already started preparing the manifesto and a preliminary draft is ready, and these schemes are likely to be added.
Meanwhile, Congress has announced not only to give electricity subsidy but to double it to 400 units.
Delhi Congress president Devendra Yadav had said during the Delhi Nyayatra last week, “Congress will provide 400 units of free electricity after coming to power, which will be an honest assurance unlike Kejriwal’s fake free electricity and water promises as he has only cheated. People…”
Yadav said, “Our party will also stop looting of discoms and increased electricity bills by electricity consumers. Strict checks and balances will be implemented to ensure that power distribution companies follow rules and regulations.”
The Aam Aadmi Party has said it will stop all subsidies if it continuously votes for the BJP.
Attacking the BJP on Saturday, after it launched its election slogan – Ab nahi sahenge badal ke rahe – Kejriwal wrote on X: “I have already said that if they come to power, they will stop all the work done by the AAP government on 10. For years, Delhi’s In collaboration with people… Today, they officially announced that they will change everything. ie 24 hour power cuts, then long power cuts will start, free electricity will stop, electricity bills of thousands of rupees will start coming, for women. Free bus travel will be discontinued….”