Delhi government announces cheaper power, free water; Kejriwal says will fulfill all promises

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday vowed to fulfill all the promises made to the people of Delhi as his government slashed power tariff by 50 % for consumption up to 400 units per month and 20,000 litres of free water per household every month.

Kejriwal tweeted that he has fulfilled the promises made to the people. The Delhi Chief Minister further said in his tweet that all other promises will be fulfilled too and sought the support of the public.

जो कहा सो किया। बिजली हाफ रेट पर और पानी मुफ्त किया। बाकी वादे भी पूरे करेंगे। बस आप अपना साथ बनाये रखियेगा।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2015

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "We had promised to reduce power tariffs. Families using power till 400 units will get it at half the price and this will be effective from the 1st of March."

However, "Those families using more than 400 units will have to pay the entire bill," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also announced that government will also provide 20,000 litres of free water to every household per month.

However, water tariff will be charged if the consumption limit exceeds 20,000 litres. The free water scheme will come into force from March 1. 

Sisodia said consumers getting free water will not require to pay for sewer charges.

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to cut power tariff by 50% immediately after coming to power and had said the rates will be revised based on the findings of a CAG audit which the Kejriwal government had announced during its first stint.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Comptroller and Auditor General Shashi Kant Sharma and discussed the status of scrutiny of finances of the private power distribution companies by the auditor which was ordered by the AAP government during its first stint.

The first AAP government in January last year had ordered CAG audit of the finances of the three power companies — BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. It had even warned the discoms that their licenses may be cancelled if they do not cooperate with the audit.