In yet another populist measure, Arvind Kejriwal Government today announced that consumers who did not pay their electricity bills as part of AAP's power agitation will have to shell out only half of their total dues, a decision which will cost Rs six crore to exchequer.
A decision to this effect was taken by a meeting of Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Kejriwal. The penalty on the outstanding has also been waived.
"Delhi government today decided to give a 50 per cent subsidy to those who did not pay their bills from October, 2012, to April, 2013, (the duration of the agitation) and continued not paying till December," senior Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters.
Officials said the decision will benefit around 24,000 consumers.
Just after its formation, AAP had launched a 'Bijli Satyagraha' against "inflated" power bills in the national capital. As part of the campaign, Kejriwal had urged people to refuse to pay their power bills.
Although around 10 lakh people had signed AAP's petition against power distribution companies during the agitation, only 24,000-odd consumers actually stopped paying their bills.
Keeping a pre-poll promise, Kejriwal had announced a 50 per cent subsidy on electricity consumption of up to 400 units in Delhi after coming to power.
Later, the AAP government also ordered the Comptroller and Auditor General to audit the finances of the three private power distribution companies serving Delhi.
A total of 2,508 electricity meters were disconnected by the concerned authorities for non-payment of inflated and wrong bills. The government has decided to provide relief to these people also.
The government has also decided to consider the closure of theft cases registered against some consumers during the previous government's regime.
