Govt's free-electricity scheme an example of smart governance: CM

New Delhi: Delhi government has revealed in a data that in the first month of implementing free electricity scheme itself, about 14 lakh people have already benefitted from it, to which state Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday called the scheme a prime example of "smart governance". According to the data revealed by the state government, people who consumed less than 200 units of electricity recieved "zero electricity bill".

People from different spectrum of Delhi, took to social media and shared their electricity bills. "Arvind Kejriwal, thanks for free electricity. My bill is zero, this month," tweeted a consumer. Another consumer shared a picture on Facebook showing Rs 90 as his bill amount. Numerous others expressed their happiness on receiving the zero electricity bill, while sharing the bill picture and thanked the Chief Minister.

Taking to Twitter himself, Kejriwal applauded the scheme and said, "The free-electricity scheme of Delhi is going to be an example of smart governance. Every family is now trying to consume less than 200 units after 14 lakh families received zero amount bills." He also averred that the scheme will also make people start saving electricity.

The data also claimed that from next month, more people will benefit from the scheme as it has been extended to the tenants residing in Delhi, as well. Last month, the Chief Minister had announced "Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojna" under which tenants can also avail the free-electricity scheme. In Delhi, there are around 48 lakh domestic consumers. Under the scheme, people consuming electricity between 201 units and 400 units are eligible to avail 50 per cent subsidy from the government on their bills.

Last month, while implementing the scheme, the Chief Minister had said the move will cover at least 33 per cent consumers in the Capital, whose usage is less than 200 units in the summer. "During the winter, the power consumption of around 705 people is below 200," he had added. The increased subsidy for the consumers is expected to cost the government between Rs 1,700 and Rs 2,000 crore annually.