Delhi govt. has no plan to revise power subsidy scheme; L-G not properly briefed: Atishi

The Power Minister also said the government will soon come up with a summer plan for uninterrupted power supply with a common dashboard for micro observation of power cuts

The Delhi Government has no plan to revise its power subsidy scheme and it will continue without any restrictions on sanctioned load to consumers, Power Minister Atishi said on March 13.

She told reporters the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission had issued statutory advice to the Delhi Government in 2020, asking it to consider restricting electricity subsidies to the poor and needy consumers. The DERC withdrew the advisory on January 6 this year, saying the issue did not fall under its jurisdiction.

Last week, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena asked Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to direct the power department to place the DERC advisory before the council of ministers and take a decision within 15 days.

"The Delhi Government is committed to ensuring round-the-clock power supply. There is no plan to revise the subsidy scheme as was reported recently. The L-G was perhaps briefed incorrectly because the DERC has withdrawn its statutory advice," Ms. Atishi said.

She also said the government will "simplify" the process for consumers applying for subsidy or giving it up. Last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that only those who apply for the subsidy will get it.

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Ms. Atishi said the DERC has stated that its advice was legally "incorrect" and it could give advice to the government only on 4 matters excluding subsidy.