Minister Jain asks officers to look at power subsidy options

Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain today directed officers to explore options of prepaid electricity meters in a bid to extend the government's power subsidy scheme to tenants.
An official said Jain also asked for the simplification of documentation for tenants who had recently complained to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that house-owners were not passing on subsidy benefits to them.
At a meeting with officials of the power department and discoms, the minister directed them to prepare a feasibility report on the options and also an implementation roadmap.
Under the power subsidy scheme, the Delhi government provides a 50 per cent subsidy on electricity tariffs on usage of up to 400 units on domestic electricity connections for all residents of Delhi.

"The minister directed the officials and discoms to explore the options of pre-paid electricity meters and simplification of documentation for allowing tenants to avail of the benefit of electricity subsidy, which is already available to domestic consumers," the official said.
Jain said pre-paid meters would be beneficial for both landlords and tenants, and help all concerned parties in easy billing.

According to the government, if the new system of installing prepaid meters is introduced, tenants will be required to purchase the power they use in advance.
Last month, Kejriwal had written to Jain asking him to ensure that power subsidy was provided to tenants.

In his letter, the chief minister had asked him to prepare a roadmap for the benefit of subsidy to "each and every tenant" residing in the national capital.