The Kejriwal Government has issued a notification ordering a special audit of all DISCOMs operating in Delhi on Tuesday. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that the residents of Delhi receive electricity subsidies in a transparent and fair manner. This special audit of power companies has been ordered on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal. It will be conducted by a CAG-empanelled auditor for the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission for financial years 2016-17 to 2021-22, through CAG empanelled external auditor.
Power Minister Ms Atishi informed that on March 27, the Kejriwal Government had sent the file regarding the audit order to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) but he kept sitting on it for three weeks. Finally, after getting the file approved from LG today, the Kejriwal Government issued a notification for conducting the audit, however, the LG is mischievously taking credit for it. The Kejriwal Government is confident that the special audit will reveal any irregularities and help improve the distribution of electricity subsidies in Delhi.
The Delhi Government, led by Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, has taken a significant step towards ensuring transparency in the distribution of electricity subsidies to the residents of Delhi. The Power Minister’s office has issued a special order, directing the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission to conduct a thorough audit of all electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) operating in the city. The objective of this special audit is to identify any irregularities in the distribution of electricity subsidies and ensure that residents of Delhi receive the benefits of the subsidy in a transparent and fair manner.
Delhi’s Power Minister Atishi said that the audit of power companies has been ordered on the orders of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal. “The LG has approved the file sent by the Chief Minister, today. After which the notification of audit has been issued today. The audit is necessary to know whether there was any wrongdoing on the part of the power companies,” she informed.
According to Ms Atishi, the Kejriwal Government had ordered a special audit of all power companies on March 27 and had promptly sent the file to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for approval. Despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, it took about 20 days for the LG to approve the file for the audit. Finally, after three weeks, the LG approved the file and the Kejriwal Government issued a notification for the audit. “It is ironic that while the Kejriwal Government is taking proactive steps to ensure transparency in the distribution of electricity subsidies, the LG is attempting to take credit for these initiatives. On the one hand, the LG delays the approval of files and removes experts, and on the other hand, tries to claim credit for the Kejriwal Government’s efforts,” she added.
On March 27, Power Minister Ms Atishi had announced in a press conference in the Delhi Assembly that a special audit of power companies would be conducted to expose any attempts to sabotage the power subsidy provided by the Kejriwal Government. The audit would investigate whether the funds allocated for free electricity were being utilised correctly, she had said back then.
During the announcement, the Power Minister had expressed concern over several disturbing revelations related to free electricity in Delhi. Despite several days passing since the order was issued, the file related to free electricity from the LG’s office had not been delivered to the Chief Minister, Power Minister, or the Cabinet. This raised serious questions about a possible conspiracy to undermine the free electricity program. “It is inexplicable why an important file related to free electricity is being withheld from the Kejriwal Government. Such behaviour raises suspicions of foul play and suggests an attempt to subvert the Kejriwal Government’s efforts to provide free electricity to the people of Delhi,” she had said.
The Power Minister had said that the officers appointed by the Delhi government to the board of power companies were removed in December, despite being policy experts, experts in the electricity sector, and the country’s best CAs. These facts suggest that a major conspiracy is underway, and questions have arisen about whether the LG has any connection to power companies. There is also speculation that officers of the Delhi Government, the Chief Secretary, and the Power Secretary may have colluded with power companies in this regard.
Ms Atishi had also reiterated the Kejriwal government’s commitment to providing 24-hour free electricity to the people of Delhi and vowed to expose any conspiracy to stop this. “To this end, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal has directed DERC to conduct a special audit of all power companies through the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) empaneled auditors. The audit will examine the accounts of power companies and determine how funds allocated by the Delhi government were used over the past eight years. It will also investigate whether any officers have a nexus with power companies. The special audit will unearth any collusions and will audit the books of power companies for eight years,” she had said.
