Relief may be in offing for power consumers below 200 units

Delhiites, who limit their power consumption to 200 units per month, may get some cushion from the recent power tariff hike with the city government planning to continue marginal subsidy in place for such consumers. For the last four years, Delhi government has been providing subsidy of Rs 1 per unit for domestic customers whose monthly power consumption does not exceed 200 units.

A decision to continue the subsidy for such consumers will be taken in next cabinet meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Friday. Officials said as Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) announced a new tariff order, government will have to take a fresh decision as the previous notification would lapse when the new tariff comes into effect.

Addressing a function in New Delhi, she said that the power demand is going up by the day and the government has been able to meet around 5,400 MW power demand successfully. This reflects that there is not going to be any problem in power supply in future, she claimed. Referring to the recent tariff hike, she said the government would like to continue subsidy on limited consumption of power.

"This will help in power conservation and overcoming wasteful power consumption. A decision on grant of subsidy will be taken in the next Cabinet meeting. "Delhi is the only city where power supply remains available throughout day and night. The government will also provide due attention on ensuring quality of power," she said.

Power tariff for domestic consumers was hiked by a steep 26% - the fourth increase in ten months - which came as a shock to people already burdened by high inflation and petrol price rise. It will come into effect from July 1.