Delhi’s Free Electricity Scheme Sees Surge In Beneficiaries, Political Row Continues

The number of consumers receiving free or subsidised electricity in the capital continues to rise, according to the Delhi government’s latest data. The free electricity scheme, launched in 2015 by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, emerged as a major point of contention during this year’s assembly elections. 

While AAP leaders claimed that the scheme would be scrapped if the BJP came to power, the BJP refuted the allegation, calling it misleading and asserting that all public welfare programmes would remain intact.

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Delhi Energy Minister Ashish Sood said the increase in beneficiaries under the scheme since the BJP assumed office clearly contradicts AAP’s claims. Under the scheme, households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month pay nothing, while those using 201-400 units receive a 50 per cent subsidy.

As of October, Delhi had nearly 60 lakh domestic consumers, of whom 49,64,036 were availing benefits under the scheme. This included 26,59,447 consumers with zero electricity bills and 23,04,590 receiving a 50 per cent subsidy.

In comparison, October last year recorded 47,79,071 total beneficiaries, 24,64,762 with free electricity and 23,14,308 receiving subsidised bills. In its first budget, the BJP government allocated Rs 3,843 crore to the Energy Department, with Rs 3,600 crore earmarked specifically for subsidies.

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Consumers receiving subsidy from February to October:-

Consumers with zero electricity bills from February to October: