The Uttarakhand government has announced up to 100 units of free electricity every month to domestic consumers. Power consumption beyond that, and up to 200 units, will be charged at 50% the tariff, said the government on Wednesday.
Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat, who was given the additional charge of energy and renewable energy in the state on Wednesday, made the announcement soon after a meeting of senior officials of the department.
Rawat said, “This will cost the state exchequer around ₹ 400 to 500 crore annually, but it will provide relief to a large section of the state’s population .” He said the department was preparing the proposal to present to the Cabinet in its next meeting.
The minister also rejected the speculation that the scheme is being introduced to check the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from taking root in the state, as free electricity and water are poll promises of the latter.
With less than a year left for the state assembly elections, AAP has been attacking the ruling BJP on issues like corruption, unemployment and health through various political events and on social media.
