Delhi govt decides to continue with power subsidy

With every power hike Delhi government comes out with subsidy plans and now it appears to be a routine thing. In the first cabinet meeting after DERC announced revision of power tariff Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her cabinet colleagues decided to continue with the Re. 1 subsidy to the consumers who consumes less then 200 units per month.

Briefing the media after cabinet along with power minister Haroon Yusuf, the Chief Minister said “one of the purposes to give subsidy is to encourage those who consume less power because conservation of power is important for the nation”.

The new tariff will be applicable from1st July, 2012, the day from which the new tariff as announced by DERC has come into force.  This will benefit around 20 lakh domestic consumers out of 34 lakh total consumers i.e. around 59% of total domestic consumers.  Further, the Cabinet also decided to permit implementation of cluster buses under cluster No.6,7,8 and 9 to make number of cluster buses plying under DTC routes to 3000.  It also approved setting up of a World Class Skill Centre at Jaunapur in collaboration with Government of Singapore and hike in monthly pension from Rs.1000 to Rs.1500 in respect of persons with disabilities.

While speaking to the media persons after the Cabinet meeting Dikshit stated that her Government is fully concerned about the needs of middle class and poor families.  It has been providing substantial relief as and when required.  The subsidy will benefit 19 lakh domestic consumers out of total 34 lakh.  The Government will release an amount of Rs.222.40 crore for this purpose.