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New Delhi: Keeping aside all the speculation about the fulfilling the promises made during the election campaigning, Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government fulfilled its important election promises of slashing electricity tariffs by 50 % for households consuming upto 400 units per month and providing free water upto 20,000 litres per household per month, beginning from March 1.

Needless to say, there were much hue and cry over the issue among the media as well as the opponents as to how Kejriwal will fulfill his promises made during the election campaigning.

The Aam Aadmi Party government had provided the much needed relief in electricity and water bills last year also, when it was in office for 49 days, but unfortunately this relief was withdrawn by the central governments, which controlled Delhi during the year-long President’s rule.

Details of the two decisions taken by the Delhi cabinet announced by deputy chief minister and finance minister Manish Sisodia are as follows :

ELECTRICITY

36.06 lakh families, that is 90% of domestic consumers of Delhi will be provided 50% reduction in electricity bills, consuming upto 400 units per month.

The cabinet has approved a flat 50% relief in the electricity bills upto 400 units for domestic consumers.

This will cost Rs 70 crore for the month of March.

The cabinet has approved an estimated amount of Rs 1427 crore for the next financial year to provide relief in electricity bills for the residents of Delhi.

The relief in electricity bills will be provided to domestic consumers till the CAG audit of private power distribution companies (discoms) is completed.

Relief in electricity bills will continue even in the eventuality of any tariff hike by the regulator of the electricity sector (DERC).

Domestic consumers consuming upto 400 units will get a relief of 50% in their bills irrespective of any slab.

WATER

The cabinet has approved the proposal to provide 20,000 litres of water free of cost to every household per month. Sewer charges will also be withdrawn.

It will cover almost 18 lakh households of Delhi. (Last time it covered 13.31 lakh households)

The scheme will begin from March 1.

It will cover the group housing societies.

For the month of March, it will cost around Rs 21 crore.

The cabinet has approved an estimate of Rs 250 crore for the next financial year.

This estimate includes the cost of installing more meters to allow more and more people to get the benefit of piped water.

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