Ready to extend power benefits to all in Delhi if Centre bears the extra cost: AAP

New Delhi: Welcoming the state BJP’s demand that 50 percent power subsidy benefit should be extended to all, AAP on Thursday said the welfare initiative will be extended to all immediately if the Centre agrees to bear the extra cost. [caption id=“attachment_2124903” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] “The Aam Aadmi Party welcomes Delhi state BJP’s demand that 50 percent power subsidy benefit should be extended to all, and not just to consumers with electricity consumption up to only 400 units. “We are ready to accept the suggestion and extend the benefit to all the consumers if BJP leaders manage to convince the BJP-led central government to bear the extra financial burden for the benefit of Delhi’s citizens, which we sincerely hope Mr Narendra Modi’s government will happily do, because he had promised to slash the electricity tariffs by half during his election campaign,” the party said in a statement. Taking a jibe at BJP, AAP said BJP seems to believe that there is no need to encourage people in Delhi to save power and consume less electricity and give incentive to people saving electricity. “We see this confidence of the state BJP stemming from the belief that they would manage the balance subsidy burden from the BJP-led central government and insuring availability of cheap power to Delhi if the demand crosses the supply quota earmarked to Delhi,” the party added. The Delhi government had on Wednesday slashed power tariff by 50 percent for consumption up to 400 units per month, which will benefit around 90 percent of the city residents. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. PTI