LG warns Kejriwal of legal action over AAP's power subsidy claims

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warning him of legal action regarding his allegations of an alleged bid to stop the AAP government's flagship power subsidy scheme in the city.

Saxena, in his letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, cited various press releases issued by the Delhi government carrying the allegations against him. "I write to you seeking accountability and responsibility with regards to unsubstantiated and false statements made by you and your colleagues in the Government and Party, against me," the letter read.

"The power minister, health minister and the chief minister himself have been making blatantly false, misleading, accusatory, libelous and defamatory statements in the media and elsewhere to the effect that the subsidy given in the power sector is being stopped by the Lt Governor/that the Lt Governor is conspiring with the officers to stop the power subsidy," it said.

Saxena also asked the CM to furnish documents, substantiating his allegations. He further termed them as 'unsubstantiated and false.'

"You are requested to furnish any paper or communication that establishes that the Lt Governor wants power subsidy to be stopped or is conspiring with officers or a political party to stop power subsidy, as is being openly alleged by your Ministers and colleagues in the party," Saxena wrote in the letter.

He expected that the information sought by him will be furnished at the earliest. "....failing which it would be assumed that you and your colleagues are deliberately misleading the people of Delhi and playing petty political games, which deserve unequivocal condemnation and legal redressal," read the letter.

Delhi Power Minister Atishi had earlier said that the Delhi Cabinet has approved the extension of power subsidy for the year 2023-24 but the file is still pending in the LG office.

However, the Lt Governor's office said the power subsidy extension for the year 2023-24 has been approved by Saxena and accused Atishi of levelling false allegations.

The AAP Government in Delhi provides free electricity to consumers with 200 units of monthly consumption. Those having 201 to 400 units of consumption per month get a 50 per cent subsidy capped at Rs 850.

Last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that a power subsidy would be provided to only those consumers who apply for it. According to official figures, over 48 lakh among more than 58 lakh domestic consumers have applied for power subsidy.

The AAP Government has allocated Rs 3,250 crore for power subsidy in its Budget for 2023-24.

(with inputs from PTI)