Power Minister Ms. Atishi tabled an important issue related to power subsidy in Delhi at the Vidhan Sabha on Friday and said that the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary in connivance with the LG, are trying to stop free electricity from being provided to the people of Delhi. The Chief Secretary and the senior officials of the Power Department are conspiring to negotiate a deal with power companies and provide them benefits on the directions of the LG. This whole conspiracy is being hatched to stop the people of Delhi from getting free electricity.
She said that an important file from the LG’s office on power subsidy was to be presented before the cabinet within 15 days, but the file has not reached the cabinet even after a lapse of 14 days. For 14 days, instead of reaching the Chief Minister and the Power Minister, the concerned file is being circulated in the offices of the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary. What are the officials trying to hide?
Ms. Atishi said that on March 10th, she came to know through the media that the LG has sent a file related to 200 units of free electricity supply to the Chief Secretary. This file was to be presented before the cabinet within 15 days. But it has neither reached the CM nor the Power Minister for discussion.
The Power Minister said that she has repeatedly asked the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary about this file. The question arises as to why this file has not reached the minister till now, but no answer has been received on this. This is a serious matter related to the people of Delhi. On 10th March, this file was sent by the LG to the Chief Secretary. Today, even after 14 days have passed, that important file has not reached the Power Minister.
Ms. Atishi shared that it was with great difficulty that a photocopy of the file related to 200 units of electricity subsidy was procured by her office, by an officer. It has been clarified by the LG in that file that within 15 days this matter has to be placed before the cabinet. She said that today 14 days have passed and this important file has not been put up by the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary in front of the minister in charge. This is a very serious issue. This type of work by senior officials is an insult to the elected government and democracy.
The Power Minister said that with such an act, it seems that there is a big conspiracy behind this whole incident. Under the directions of the LG, the Chief Secretary and the Power Secretary are trying to make profits by conniving with power companies while depriving the people of Delhi of 200 units of free electricity.
It is to be noted that in view of the seriousness of the issue, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has sent this matter to the Standing Committee on Public Facilities for investigation.
