Delhi - No subsidy , power bills to double up from April 2014

A bad news for residents of Delhi! The electricity rates will be hiked sharply from April as the Central government has not announced a subsidy in interim budget approved by the Parliament on Friday. The government will provide the subsidy only until March 31. This move will double up the power bills of millions of people who consume below 400 units power.

The Sheila Dikshit government provided subsidy in two slabs for people whose electricity usage was limited to 400 units. When Arvind Kejriwal came in power, he slashed the electricity rates for consumers further.

Sources say the subsidy would not be given as it was not announced in the interim budget.

In the first 6 months of 2014-15 in a vote on account tabled in Parliament, Delhi was allocated Rs.18,033 crore. Budget estimates of Rs.36,066 crore were approved in the interim budget.

Both the houses passed Delhi Appropriation and Vote on Account Bills as the Delhi assembly could not pass the budget for financial year 2014-15 before President's rule was imposed.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced 50 per cent slash in electricity tariffs for consumers whose usage was capped below 400 units.

He resigned on the issue of Lokpal Bill.

Source - India Today