The Punjab government’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stated that home subscribers would receive 300 units of free electricity starting July 1.
While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to make an official announcement on Saturday, the day he completes one month in office, the AAP administration has placed adverts in newspapers claiming that the free electricity benefit would 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 pledge 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 administration intends to implement this benefit in the same way as Delhi did, with free usage of up to 300 units each month. Those who utilise above 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 home users would profit from it.
During a recent meeting in New Delhi between Kejriwal and Punjab authorities, the decision to execute the plan 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 from July 1.
The government’s annual bill is projected to exceed Rs 5,500 crore.
Farmers in Punjab receive free power worth Rs 6,000 crore every year. A subsidy of Rs 4,000 crore is provided to domestic users. There are 21.83 lakh SC/BC/BPL families among these home customers. Those with a load of up to 7 KW are charged Rs 1.19 per unit of power.
Last November, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi lowered energy tariffs by Rs 3 per unit. All home users will be charged Rs 1.19 per unit for the first 100 units of power, he added. It was previously Rs 4.19 per unit. Following that, usage of 100 to 300 units was invoiced at Rs 4 per unit rather than Rs 7. The fee for usage of more over 300 units was Rs 5.76 per unit, down from Rs 8.76 per unit previously. In its first tariff order, released recently, the AAP administration maintained Channi’s tariff adjustments.
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