Free electricity for Delhiites with less than 200 unit consumption, announces Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that Delhities consuming up to 200 units of electricity won't need to pay their power bills. Making the announcement, the chief minister said the Delhi government will give full subsidy to those consuming up to 200 units of electricity. Those consuming 201 to 401 units of electricity will continue to get 50 per cent power subsidy from the government, he added.

“Those in Delhi, who consume up to 200 units of electricity, need not pay their electricity bills; they will get a zero electricity bill. Consumers of 201-400 units of electricity will receive approximately 50 per cent subsidy,” Kejriwal said.

Calling it a 'historic decision', the Chief Minister said that the move would help the common man. "Today the cheapest electricity in the country is in Delhi," he added.

"Nobody says anything if the VIPs and big politicians get free power. Why deprive the common man? Am I wrong in taking this step," Kejriwal questioned.

“People used to pay Rs 622 for 200 units of electricity till yesterday, now it's free. For 250 units they used to pay Rs 800, now they'll pay Rs 252. For 300 units they used to pay Rs 971, now they'll pay Rs 526. For 400 units, they used to pay Rs 1320, now they'll pay Rs 1075,” the chief minister said.

and in buses for women who wish to avail of the facility. The scheme, which was estimated to cost the government approximately Rs 1,600 crore, came months ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year.

However, the Centre rejected the Delhi government's proposed scheme for free metro and bus travel for women in the city.