The Impressive TimesNEW DELHI , 28 Feb, 2024-To secure votes for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Delhi LG is trying to put the people-centric policies of the Kejriwal Government on hold. Recently, the LG held back Kejriwal government’s flagship Delhi Solar Policy on hold for weeks and then marked irrelevant, bogus queries on it.
Addressing a press conference in this regard on Wednesday, Delhi Power Minister Atishi said that the LG (Lieutenant Governor) is doing so to stop the solar policy from being implemented before the imposition of the election Model Code of Conduct. She said that the LG must not forget the dignity of his constitutional position and should work in the interest of the Delhi people. He must not play politics on Delhi Solar Policy for the BJP’s interest.
Power Minister Atishi said, “On January 29, 2024, the cabinet of the Kejriwal Government passed the Delhi Solar Policy. This policy was appreciated as the best and most progressive policy across India. The new Solar Policy has the provision of providing a Rs 0.00 electricity bill to even those consumers who use above 400 units.”
She added that at present, the Kejriwal Government provides free electricity for up to 200 units and a 50% subsidy for consumption of 201-400 units. This was the first time that through the new Solar Policy, consumers using electricity above 400 units would have received Rs 0 bill. The people of Delhi welcomed the solar policy exuberantly. We started getting calls and queries from all parts of Delhi regarding the installation of solar panels.
The Power Minister said, “Another important provision of this policy was that if someone installs a solar panel on their rooftop, the government will pay them for generating each unit of electricity. For 3KW, Rs 3 per unit incentive will be provided by the government, and for 3-10KW, Rs 2 per unit incentive will be given. So, this means that not only will consumers generate solar power for their consumption and get a Rs 0 bill, but they can also earn by generating extra units of solar power.”
She added that this is such an ambitious solar policy that despite the increase in electricity consumption in Delhi, we are targeting that by 2027, 20% of electricity will be generated through solar power plants. This is expected to be more than any other state across the country.”
Atishi said that on January 29, this policy was passed by the Delhi cabinet. After that, an official notification of the cabinet decision was released. Thereafter the file was sent to the LG. It is a matter of grave concern that such a fine policy in the best interest of the people and environment of Delhi was put on hold by the LG. The power department followed up with the LG office multiple times as the government needed to notify the policy. When LG couldn’t delay the file any longer, he raised irrelevant queries and objections and sent the file to us.
Atishi added, “By doing this, the LG is trying to stop the notification of the policy before the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha election is imposed. Now that the file has been marked with many queries, it will keep making rounds within the office, from one official to another official. There is only one reason for putting these queries, and that is to stop this policy from being implemented. Because if this solar policy is implemented, then people will appreciate the efforts of CM Arvind Kejriwal and his policy and will vote for him. Today, the LG is batting from the side of the BJP and making an effort to secure votes for the BJP, instead of doing his constitutional duty of working in the interest of Delhi people.
She said, “I would like to request the LG to avoid politics and delay over the Delhi Solar Policy. It is a very fine policy; it will not only benefit the people of Delhi but will also control the pollution in the national capital. Being the guardian of Delhi, it is his duty and moral responsibility to take a decision in favour and ensure the welfare of Delhi people.”
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