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Costs rise for AAP’s 50% free power pledge in Delhi

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NEW DELHI: The AAP government fulfilled two major campaign promises on Wednesday, halving power tariffs for families consuming up to 400 units a month and announcing that 20,000 litres (20 kilolitres) of water would be supplied free to every household in Delhi. Similar measures had been taken by AAP during its previous 49-day tenure in Delhi.Making both announcements at a press conference, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the power subsidy would cover some 36 lakh households in Delhi, amounting to some 90% of electricity consumers in the capital. Those who consume over 400 units of power a month will not receive any subsidy.The power subsidy will be effective from next month and is expected to cost the state government Rs 70 crore in March and Rs 1,427 crore in the next financial year (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016).Sisodia also reiterated the assurance given by the previous AAP government that the power subsidy would be provided only till CAG shares the results of its audit of discom finances. Electricity tariffs will be reviewed after that.Why do parties promise free power, Modi asksThe water scheme is expected to benefit around 13 lakh families and cost the government Rs 20 crore in March and another Rs 250 crore in the next financial year.The amount of 20 kilolitres per month was determined by using the BIS standard of 135 litres per capita per day (lpcd) for a family with an average of five members. Not only will the water supply be free, the beneficiaries will also not pay sewerage charges. However, like last year, the consumption of even one litre above 20 kl will mean that the entire amount consumed will be paid for. So, the water bill will jump from zero to Rs 884 if a single litre of water above 20 kl is consumed in a month.