The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab today announced 300 units of free power to every household from July 1, according to the state's information and public relations department.
AAP free units of electricity will be given to people when the summer season will leave. During April, May and June, when the summer season is at its peak and electricity consumption are maximum at that time people will not be given any kind of relief.
Free power of 300 units was the first guarantee of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the electorate of Punjab in June 2021. This promise was similar to a scheme implemented by his government in New Delhi. Before this, Punjab’s consumers were getting the costliest power in the country.
According to Powercom experts, if 300 units of free electricity were provided, the total annual cost would be Rs 23,300 crore, while the total budget deficit of the Punjab Government alone is Rs. 24000 crores per annum. About Rs 14,000 crore will be borne by Powercom. If the government takes the full bill as soon as it crosses 300 units, the burden will come down to Rs 7,000 crore. The announcement to give free units from July will help the AAP government in managing the budget deficit.
The scheme is the biggest announcement made by the AAP government since it was elected to power in March. Of the 73.80 lakh domestic consumers in the state, nearly 62.25 lakh will benefit from it.