The Punjab government’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that domestic consumers will receive 300 units of free electricity starting July 1.
While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to make a formal announcement on Saturday, the day he completes one month in office, the AAP government has placed adverts in newspapers claiming that the free power benefit will begin on July 1.
In June 2021, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave the people of Punjab his first guarantee: 300 units of free electricity. This promise was identical to a system that his government in New Delhi had undertaken. Prior to this, Punjab’s electricity was the most expensive in the country.
The Punjab government intends to implement this benefit in the same way that Delhi did, with free usage of up to 300 units each month. Those who consume over 300 units will be charged.
The initiative is the AAP government’s most significant announcement since taking office in March.
Nearly 62.25 lakh of the state’s 73.80 lakh domestic consumers will benefit from it.
During a recent meeting in New Delhi between Kejriwal and Punjab officials, the decision to implement the scheme was made. However, it was agreed to bring the matter to the attention of the state cabinet first. Despite the fact that the agenda had been set, it was decided at the last minute to reveal the scheme on April 16.
The Punjab government expects to save roughly Rs 2,000 crore in the first quarter of the fiscal year by implementing the programme on July 1.
The government’s annual bill is expected to exceed Rs 5,500 crore.
Farmers in Punjab receive free power worth Rs 6,000 crore per year. A subsidy of Rs 4,000 crore is provided to domestic consumers. There are 21.83 lakh SC/BC/BPL families among these domestic consumers. Those with a load of up to 7 KW are charged Rs 1.19 per unit of power.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
What is the rationale behind this?
Delhi has been giving free electricity for last many years but Delhi has very less number of farmers and hence, may afford this free facility, but Punjab is having large nos of farmers. How can Punjab affort it?
Such free supplies of essential commodity like electricity, may be reviewed for its pros and cons and better a nation wide policy be adopted on this commonity failing which, it creates unending demands from other states also.
Poor and other needy people may be given free electricity to a desired level and for limited period only, but they be also trained and educated to increase their earning capacity in due course.
Electricity tarrif laws/ rules be reviewed to offer different tarrif at different times during 24 hours to optimise consumption of electricity and to cut down breakdowns of power plants due to excessive loads, as is the practice in few states and countries.
The generation of electricity be at lower costs and with latest technologies and all attempts in this direction be made. Power losses and theft be controlled and minimised. If reqd, the govt electricity boards be privatised.
Prepaid electricity consumption meters may be invented and introduced to ensure timely and due payment by consumers.
R.Bhatia